I was born by the river in a little tent Oh, and just like the river I've been running ever since It's been a long, a long time coming But I know a change gon' 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 beyond the sky It's been a long, a long time coming But I know a change gon' come, oh yes it will I go to the movie and I go down town Somebody keep telling me don't hang around It's been a long, a long time coming 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 knockin' me Back down on my knees 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