I was born by a river in a little tent
And just like this river
I've been running ever since
It's been a too long, too long-time a-coming
But I know a change gonna come
Oh, yes, it is

It's been 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 time a, long time a-coming
But I know, Lord I know a change gonna come, Lord
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