I was born by the river
In a little tent
Oh, and just like the river
I’ve been runnin' ever since
It’s been a long
A long time comin', but I know
A change gon' come
Oh, yes it will
It’s been too hard livin'
But I’m afraid to die
'Cause I don’t know what’s up there
Beyond the sky
It’s been a long
A long time comin', but I know
A change gon' come
Oh, yes it will
I go to the movie
And I go downtown
Somebody keep tellin' me «don't hang around»
It’s been a long
A long time comin', but I know
A change gon' come
Oh, yes it will
Then I go to my brother
And I say, «Brother, help me please»
But he winds up
Knockin' me
Back down on my knees
Lor', there been time that I thought
I couldn’t last for long
But now I think I’m able to
Carry on
It’s been a long
Along time comin', but I know
A change gon' come
Oh, yes it will