Listen, I was born by the river in a little tent
Oh, just like the river I've been running, 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, long time coming
But I know a change gonna come
Oh yes it will

Then I go to the movie and I go, said I go downtown
Somebody keeps telling me don't hang around
It's been a long, 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, winds up knockin' me, knockin’ me
Back down on my knees, oh

There were times when I thought I couldn't last for long
But now I know, I know I'm able to carry on
It's been a long, long, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come
Oh yes it will