I was born by the river in a little tent
Oh, just like a river, I've been running ever since
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change's 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 up there above the sky
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change's gonna come, oh, yes, it will

And I go to the movies, and I go downtown
Somebody keep telling me, don't hang around
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change's gonna come, oh, yes, it will

Then, I go to my brother

And I say, "Brother, help me, please"

But he winds up knockin' me

Back down on my knees, oh

There 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

A long time coming, but I know

A change gon' come

Oh yes, it will