I was born by the river in a little tent
Oh and just like the river I've been running ever since
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will
It's been too hard living and I'm afraid to die
I don't know what's up yonder, beyond the sky
It's been a long, such a long time coming
But I know, I know a change gonna 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, oh
There've been times that I thought I couldn't last for long
But now I think I'm able to carry on
It's been a long, such a long time coming
But I know, I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will
Ohhh
There've been times that I thought I couldn't last for long
But now I think I'm able now, able to carry on
(Swing low, sweet chariot) It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will
I know that it will, I know it will, I know it will