[Verse 1]
I was born by the river
In a little shack
Oh, and just like the river, I've been comin'
Comin' back

[Chorus]
It's been a long (Oh, it's been a long)
A long time comin', but I know
A change gon' come
Oh, yes it will (Oh, yes it will)

[Verse 2]
It's been too hard livin'
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 comin', but I know
A change gon' come (Change is gonna come)
Oh, yes it will, oh, yes it will

[Verse 3]
There's been times I thought
I couldn't last for long
But I think I'm able
To carry on
[Chorus]
It's been a long (It's been a long)
A long time comin', but I know (Long time)
A change gon' come (Change is gonna come)
Oh yes, it will

[Verse 4]
Then I go to my brother, mmm
And I ask him, I say, "Brother, help me please", yeah
But he winds up
Knockin' me, mmm
Back down on my knees, ohhh
Oh sometimes I'm up
And sometimes I'm down
But I know one day
My life will turn all way 'round

[Chorus]
It's been a long (It's been a long)
A long time comin', but I know
A change gon' come
Oh, yes it will, oh yes it will

[Outro]
One of these ol' days
You gotta be ready
For yo' life to turn around