I was born by the river in a little tent Oh, and just like the river I've been running ever since. It's been a long, a long time coming but I know A change go'n 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, a long time coming but I know A change go'n come, oh yes it will. I go to the movies and I go downtown Somebody keep telling me don't hang around. It's been a long, a long time coming but I know A change go'n come, oh yes it will. Then I go to my brother, And I say, "Brother, help me please." But he winds up knockin' me, back down on my knees. Oh, there been times that I thought I couldn't last for long But now I think I'm able to carry on. It's been a long, a long time coming but I know A change go'n come, oh yes it will.