I was born by the river In a little tent And just like the river I've been running ever since It's been a long, long time coming But I know, I know a change is gonna come Oh, yes it is It's been too hard living And I don't wanne to die I don't know what's up there, beyond the skies But it's been a long, long time coming But people let me tell you a change is gonna come Oh yes it is, oh yes It is, oh yes it is Then I go to my brothers I say brothers, help me please But my brothers they wind up knocking me Right down, down on my knees There was times that I thought I wouldn't last for long Now I know I'm able to carry on It's been a long, long, long, long, long, long, long time coming But people let me tell you a change is gonna come Oh, yes it is, oh yes it is, oh yes it is There's been love, there's been tears, there's been joy, there's been sorrow Sometimes I thought I'd never be here tomorrow