"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 gonna 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 gonna come, oh yes it will

I go to the movie and I go downtown

Somebody keep telling me, "Don't hang around"

It's been a long, a long time coming

But I know a change gonna 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

Oh 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 gonna come, oh yes it will