I was born by the river in a little tentOh And just like that river I've been running ever sinceIt's been a long time comingBut I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it willIt's been too hard living, but I'm afraid to dieCos I don't know what's out there beyond the skyIt's been a long, a long time comingBut I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it willI go to the movie and I go downtownsomebody keep telling me don't hang aroundIt's been a long, a long time comingBut I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it willThen I go to my brotherAnd I say brother help me pleaseAnd he just winds up knockin' meBack down on my kneesThere been times I thought I couldn't last for longBut now I think I'm able to carry onIt's been a long, been a long time comingBut I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will