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 is gonna come 
 oh yes it will
 It's been too hard living 
 But I'm afraid to die
 Cos 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
 knocking me
 Back down on my knees
 oh!
 There've 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