I was born by the river In a little town Just like that river I been runnin' ever since I'ts been a long, long time comin But I know change is gonna come I'ts been too hard livin' But I'm afraid to die, Cause I don't know what's up there The other side I'ts been a long time comin' But I know a change is gonna come I go to the movies, ha And I go downtown Somebody keep tellin' me Don't hang around It's been a long, long time comin' But I know a change gon' come Then I go to my brother And I say brother, help me please But he winds up, oh winds up knockin' me Down on my, knockin me down on my knees Oh, there's been times that I thought I wouldn't last too long But now I know I'm able to carry on I'ts been a long long time comin' But I know a change is gonna come Ohh