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, oh yes it will

I go to the movie and I go down town

Somebody keep telling me don't 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

And I say, Brother, help me please

But he winds up knockin' me

Back down on my knees

There been times that I thought, I couldn't last for 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

Say I know that a chance is gonna come one day

I know change gonna come

I know, I know, I know

Still I know a change gonna come

Yes it'll

Yes it'll

Yes it'll