There's an old friend that
I once heard saying
Something that touched my heart
And it began this way
I was born by the river
In a little tent
And just like that river
I've been running ever since
He said it's been a long
A long time coming
But I know my change has got to come
Oh yeah
He said it's been too hard living
But I'm afraid to die
I might not be, if I knew what was out there
Beyond the sky
He said it's been too long
Long time coming
But I know my change has got to come
Oh yeah
(Uh) I went (I went)
(To my brother) to my brother
(Helele, helele) and I asked him
Brother (helele, helele) could you help me
(Helele) please (mama eh, helele)
(Helele, helele) he said good sister (helele helele)
(Helele mama eh) I like to but I'm not able
(Helele, mama hey) and when I
When I looked around (ah, ah)
I was right back down
Down on my knees, yes I was
There've been some times (there've been times)
Yes, times that I thought (that I thought)
I thought I wouldn't last for long
But somehow, right now (helele, helele)
I believe, I believe I'm able (helele, helele) to carry on
(Helele mama eh) carry on (helele mama hey)
Uphi umama?
Nd'zamxelela umama
Helele mama, eh
Elele mama, eh
'Xelela umama
Uh (a change is gonna come indeed) gonna come to me
(Every step of the) it's been real' hard (I believe, I believe) uh, uh
(A change is go-) a change is gonna come (-nna come indeed)
In the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening
And a change is gonna (a change is gonna) oh, gonna (come indeed)
Every step of the way, I believe ah, I believe yeah
(A change is gonna) it's gonna come (come) gonna come (indeed)
Yes I believe it, oh I will, I will, I will, yeah
A change is gonna (a change) is gonna (is gonna) gonna come to me (indeed)
(Every step of the) every step of the way (I believe, I believe) I believe it
(A change is go-) a change is gonna (-nna come) come to me (indeed)
It's gonna come, yes it will, oh-oh
And a change is gonna (a change is gonna come indeed)
Yeah