[Verse 1]
I was born by the river
In a little tent
Lord, just by the river I've been running ever since

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

[Verse 2]
It's been too hard living
But I am 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, I know a change gon' come
Oh, yes it will

[Verse 3]
There's been times that I thought
I wouldn't last for long
But somehow I think I'm able to carry on

[Chorus]
It's been a long, a long time comin'
But I know, I know a change gon' come
Oh, yes it will
[Bridge]
And then I go to my mother
(My mother, can you help me?)
I said, "Mother, could you help me please?"
(Help me, help me please)
She said, "I'd like to, I really would, but I'm just not able"
Then I looked around and I was right back down
Down on my knees, oh

[Verse 3]
There's been times that I thought
I wouldn't last for long
But somehow I think I'm able to carry on

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