I was born by the river In a little tent And gorgeous like the river I've been running ever since It's been a long A long time coming But I, I know a change is gonna come Oh yes, it will It's been too hard living But I am afraid to die 'Cause I don't know what's up there Beyond the sky It's been a long A long time coming But I, I know a change is gonna come Oh yes, it will There's been times that I thought I wouldn't last for long, oh But somehow I think I'm able to carry on It's been a long A long time coming But I know, I know a change is gonna come Oh yes, it will And then I go to my mother "Mother, can you help me?" I said mother, "Could you help me please?" Help me, help me please, help me, oh ya She said, "I'd like to, I really would But I'm just not able" Then I looked around and I was right back down Down on my knees, oh, woah, oh There's been times that I thought I wouldn't last for long But somehow I think I'm able to carry on It's been a long A long time coming But I know a, a change is gonna come Oh yes, it will