was born by the river in a little tent

Oh, and like that river I've been running ever since

It's been a long, long time coming

But I know a change is gonna come

Oh yes it is



It's been too hard living and I'm affraid to die

I don't know what's up there beyond the sky

It's been a long, long time coming

But I know a change is gonna come

Oh yes it is



I go to the movies and I go around in town

Everybody there keeps telling me "don't hang around"

It's been a long, a long time coming

But I know a change is gonna come

Oh yes it is



Then I go to my brother

And I say "Brother, please"

But he just winds up, knocking me

Back down on my knees



Sometimes I thought I wouldn't last for long

But now I think I'm able to carry on

It's been a long, long time coming

But I know a change is gonna come

Oh yes it is