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

It's been too hard living but I'm afraid to die
I don't know what's up there beyond the sky
It's been a long, long time coming
But I know a change gonna come
Oh, yes it will

Then I go to my brother, I say
"Brother help me, please"
But he winds up knocking me
Back down on my knees

There's been times that I thought, I wouldn'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