I was born by the river in a little town 
Ohh just like the river I been running every since 
Its been a long a long time coming but I know a change gonna come 
Its been too hard living but I'm afraid to die cause I don't know what's up there beyond the sky 
Its 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 down town 
Somebody keeps telling me don't you don't you know you can't hang around 
Its been a long a long time coming but I know a change gonna come ohh ohh yes it will 
Then I go to my brother I say brother help me please 
But he winds up knocking me down on my knees ohhh ohhh 
Then I go to my brother I say brother help me please but he winds up knocking me knocking me down down on my knees ohh ohh 
There were time that I thought I could not last for long but I think I'm able to carry on 
Its been a long a long time coming but I know a change gonna come 
Ohh yes it will 
Oh yes it will 
A change gonna come