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 time coming
But I know a change is gonna come
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 time coming
But I know a change is gonna come
I go to the movie and I go downtown
Somebody keep telling me
Don't hang around
It's been a long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come
Then I go to my brother and I say
Brother, help me please
But he winds up knocking me
Back down on my knees
There've been times
That I've thought I couldn't last for long
But now I think I'm able to carry on
It's been a long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come