I was born by the river in a little tent
And just like this river I've been running ever since
It's been a long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will

It's been too hard living, 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 coming
But I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will

And then I go to my brother
And I ask him to help me please
And he just winds up knockin' me
Back down on my knees

There were times when I thought I could not last for long
But now I think I'm able to carry on
It's been a long, been a long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will

Oh it's been too hard living, but I'm afraid to die
'Cause I don't know what's out there beyond the sky
It's been a long, such a long time coming
And I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will
Oh yes it will