I was born by the river in an old tent
Oh just like the river I've been running ever since

It's been a long long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come
Oh yes it will

It's been too hard living
But I'm afraid to die
Cause I don't know what's out there
Beyond the sky

It's been a long long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come
Oh yes it will

I go to the movies and I go downtown
Somebody keep tellin' me don't
Don't hang around

It's been a long long time coming
But I know a chang eis gonna come
Oh yes it will

Then I go to my brother
I say "Brother, help me please"
But he winds up knocking me
Fact I'm already on my knees

There's been times that I thought
I couldn'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