I was born by the river
In a little tent
O just like the river i've been runnin ever since

its been a loooong long time comin but i know
change gonna come
o yes it will

its been tooooo hard livin but i'm afraid to diiiie
cuz i dont know whats up there beyond the sky
its been a long long time comin but i know

change gonna come wooah yes it will
i go to the movie and i go downtown
somebody keep tellin me dont hang around

its been a long loooooong time comin but i know
that change gonna come o yes it will
When i go to my brother i say brother help me please

but he winds up not givin me. back down on my knees beggin pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaase! yeah! ive been
i couldnt last that long now i think im able to carry on.
its been a long long time long time comin but i know that change gonna come o yes it will.