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 gon' 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 gon' come Oh yes it will I go to the movie And I go downtown Somebody keep tellin' me don't hang around It's been a long, a long time comin' But I know a change gon' come Oh yes it will Then I go to my brother And I say, "Brother, help me please?" But he winds up knocking me Back down on my knees, ohhh! 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 is gonna come Oh, yes it will