I was born by the river
In a little old tent
And just like that river

I've been running ever since
It's been a long
Been a long time coming

But I know change is gonna come
Oh yes it is


It's been too hard living
Oh but I'm afraid to die
I don't know what's up there

Beyond the clouds
It's been a long
It's been a long time coming

But I know change is gonna come
Oh yes it is


There was a time
When I asked my brother
"And my brother," I said

"Brother, brother won't you help me please"
When it needs I'm down
And when I asked my mother

"My dear sweet mother," I said
"Mama, mama I'm down
On my knees"


And there was a time, Lord
When less I loan

Lord I was able
Somehow here we are
It's been a long

It's been a long time coming
But I know change is gonna come
Oh yes it is


Like I said
There was a time

When I asked my brother
"My brother," I said
"Brother, brother won't you help me please"


When it needs sent me down
And when I asked my little mother

"And my mother," I said
"Mama, mama I'm down
On my knees"


And there was a time
Oh, unless I loan

Thought I was evil
Somehow to carry on
It's been a long

It's been a long time coming
But I know change is gonna come
Oh yes it is


There was a time
When I asked my brother

"My brother," I said
"Brother, brother won't you help me please"
When it needs sent me down

And when I asked my little mother
"And my mother," I said
"Mama, mama I'm down

On my knees"

And there was a time

Oh, unless I loan
Thought I was evil
Somehow to carry on

It's been a long
It's been a long time coming
But I know change is gonna come

Oh yes it is

And I know, I know change has gotta come
Yes and I know that you know that I know that you know that change has gotta come
I am so tired, so tired, change has gotta come

Yes a change, a change has gotta come