I was born by the river in a little tent
oh, and like that river I've been running ever since
it's been a long, long time coming
but I know a change is gonna come
oh yes it is

it's been too hard living and I'm afraid to die
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 is gonna come
oh yes it is

then I go to my brother
and I say "Brother, please"
but he just winds up, knocking me
back down on my knees

sometimes I thought I wouldn't last for long
but now I think I'm able to carry on
it's been a long, long time coming
but I know a change is gonna come
oh yes it is