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 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, a long time coming But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will. I go to the movie and I go downtown Somebody keep telling me, "Don't hang around" It's been a long, a long time coming But I know a change gonna 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. Oh 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 gonna come, oh yes it will.