I was born by the river in a little tent
Oh, and like that 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 is

It's been too hard living and 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 is gonna come
Oh yes it is

I go to the movies and I go around in town
Everybody there keeps telling me "don't hang around"
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come
Oh yes it is

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

Sometimes 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 is