was born by the river
In a little tent
And just like the river,
I've been running ever since
It's been a long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come

It's been too hard living,
But I'm afraid to die
I don't know what's up there
Beyond the sky
It's been a long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come

I go to the movie,
And I go downtown
Somebody keep telling me
"Don't hang around"
It's been a long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come v 
Then I go to my brother and I say,
"Brother, help me please" 
But he winds up knocking me back 
Down on my knees 
There've been times that I've thought I couldn't last 
for long 

But now I think 
I'm able to
Carry on
It's been a long time coming 
But I know a change is gonna come