I was born by a river In a little tent Oh, and just like that river, I've been Runnin' ever since It's been a long A long time comin', but I know A change gon' come Oh, yes it will It's been too hard livin' But I'm afraid to die 'Cause 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 gon' come Oh, yes it will Said I go to the movie And I go downtown But people keep on tellin' me "No, no, don't you come around" It's been a long A long time comin', but I know A change gon' come Oh, yes it will Then I go to my brother And I say, "Brother, help me, please!" But he winds up, oh, he drops me Right down on my knees There've been times that I thought I could not last for long But thought to myself, "Oh I got to carry on" It's been a long A long time comin', but I know A change gon' come Oh, yes it will It's been a long A long time comin', but I know A change gon' come Oh, yes it will