[Verse 1]
I was born by the river in a little tent
Just like that river, I've been runnin' ever since
It's been a long, long time comin'
But I know a change gon' come, mmm

[Verse 2]
It's been too hard livin', ha, but I'm afraid to die
'Cause I don't know what's up there beyond the sky
It's been a long time comin'
But I know a change gon' come, oh

[Verse 3]
I go to the movies, ha, and I go downtown
Somebody keep telling me, "Don't hang around"
It's been a long, long time comin'
But I know a change gon' come, see

[Bridge]
Then I go to my brother
And I say, "Brother, help me please"
Oh, but he winds up, oh, winds up knockin' me
Down on my, knockin' me down on my knees, oh

[Verse 4]
There's been times when I thought
That I wouldn't last for long
But now I know I'm able to carry on
It's been a long, long time comin'
But I know a change, huh, it's gonna come, oh