I was born by a river In a little tent, and o Just like this 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 But I'm afraid to die I don't know what's up there Beyond the clouds It's been a long, long time coming, but I know A change is gonna come, oh yes it is There was a time I would go to my brother I say brother, say brother, help me please He turned me down and then I go to my mother (oh my mother) I say: Mother I'm down on my knees There was a time that I thought I couldn't last too long But somehow I was able to carry on It's been a long, a long time coming, but I know A change is gonna come, oh yes it is It's been a long time coming, but I know A change is gonna come, oh yes it is It's been a long time coming, but I know A change is gonna come, oh yes it is