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 gon' 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 gon' come yes it will

And I go to the movie and I go down town

Somebody keep telling me don't you hang around

It's been a long a long time coming

But I know a change gon' come oh yes it will

Then I go to my brother

I say brother brother won't you help me please

But he just winds up knockin' me down

Back down on my knees

There been times when I thought I couldn't last for very 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 gon' come oh yes it will

Yes it will

There's a time when I go to my brother

I say brother

I say brother won't you help me please

But he just winds up knockin' me down down down

Down on my knees

There been times that I thought I couldn't last for very long

But now I think I'm able to carry on

It's been a long a long time coming

But I know

But I know

I know

I know

I know a change gon' come oh yes it will