I was born by the river In a little tent And just like the river I've been runnin' ever since It's been a long, long time comin' But I know, a change is gonna come Oh, yes it will It's been too hard livin' But I'm afraid to die 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 is gonna come Oh, yes it will I go to the movie And I go downtown Somebody's tellin' me Don't you hang around It's been a long, long time comin' But I know, a change is gonna come Oh, yes it will Then I go to my brother I say brother, brother help me please But he just winds up knocking me Back down on my knees, well There were times that I thought I couldn't make it alone But now I'm able, I'm able To carry on It's been a long, a long time comin' But I know, a change is gonna come Oh, yes it will Lord, it's been a long time comin' But I know, a change is gonna come