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 please! yeah!

there've been times I thought 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.