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 (long time) A long time coming, but I know Change gon' come (change's gonna 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 (long time) A long time coming, but I know Change's gon' come (change's gonna come) Oh yes, it will I go to the movies And I go downtown And my friends keep telling me "Don't, don't hang around" It's been a long (A long time coming) But I know Change is gonna come Oh, yes, it will Listen to me baby Then, I go to my brother And I say, "Brother, help me, please" But then he winds up knockin' me Back down, back down on to my knees, oh There are times that I thought I wouldn't last for long But now, I know I'm able (oh) To carry on It's been a long (A long time coming) But I know Change is (Change's gonna come)