I was born by the river

In a little tent

And just like the river

I've been runnin' ever since

It's been a longlong time comin'

But I knowa change is gonna come

Ohyes it will



It's been too hard livin'

But I'm afraid to die

I don't know what's up there

Beyond the sky

It's been a longa long time comin'

But I knowa change is gonna come

Ohyes it will



I go to the movie

And I go downtown

Somebody's tellin' me

Don't you hang around

It's been a longlong time comin'

But I knowa change is gonna come

Ohyes it will



Then I go to my brother

I say brotherbrother help me please

But he just winds up knocking me

Back down on my kneeswell



There were times that I thought

I couldn't make it alone

But now I'm ableI'm able

To carry on

It's been a longa long time comin'

But I knowa change is gonna come

Ohyes it will

Lordit's been a long time comin'

But I knowa change is gonna come