I was born by the river in a little tent
Oh and just like the river I've been running ev'r since
It's been a long, long time coming
But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will
It's been too hard living, but I'm afraid 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 gonna come, oh yes it will
Then I go to my brother
I say, "Brother help me please"
But he winds up knockin' me
Back down on my knees, ohh
There's been times that 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 will (oh yes it will)