I was born by the river in a little tent

Oh and like that river I've been running ever since

It's been a long long time coming

But I know a change is gonna come

Oh yes it is

It's been too hard living and I'm affraid to die

I don't know what's up there beyond the sky

It's been a long long time coming

But I know a change is gonna come

Yeah yes

And then I went to see my brother oh yeah

I said "Brother help me please" he turned me down

And then I went I went to see my sweet mother

I said "Mama mama I'm down on my knees"

It's been a too hard living and I'm afraid to die

I don't know what's up there beyond the sky

It's been a long long time a coming

But I know but I know a change gonna come oh long