[Verse 1]
I was born by the river, in a little tent
Oh, and just like the river
I've been running ever since

[Chorus]
It's been a long
A long time coming
But I know a change gonna come
Oh, yes it will

[Verse 2]
It's been too hard living
But I'm afraid to die
'Cause I don't know what's up there
Beyond the sky

[Chorus]
It's been a long
A long time coming
But I know a change gonna come
Oh, yes it will

[Verse 3]
I go to the movie
And I go downtown
Somebody keep telling me
Don't hang around
[Chorus]
It's been a long
A long time coming
But I know, a change gonna come
Oh, yes it will

[Verse 4]
Then I go to my brother
And I say, brother, help me please
But he winds up, knockin' me
Back down on my knees

[Bridge]
Oh, there been times that I thought
I couldn't last for long
But now I think I'm able, to carry on

[Chorus]
It's been a long
A long time coming
But I know my change is gonna come
Oh, yes it will