I was born by the river 
In a little tent, and o 
Just like that river 
I've been running ever since 
It's been a 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 up there 
Beyond the sky 
It's been a long time coming, but 
I know A change is gonna come, oh yes it will 
I go to the movie and 
I go downtown 
Somebody keep tellin me 
Don't hang around 
It's been a long time coming, but 
I know A change is gonna come, oh yes it will 
Then I go to my brother 
And I say brother help me please 
But he wind up (knocking) me 
Back down on my knees 
There have 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 time, but 
I know A change is gonna come, oh yes it will