I was born by the river in a little tent And just like the river, I've been running ever since It's been a long time coming But I know a change is gonna come
It's been too hard living, but I'm afraid to die I don't know what's up there beyond the sky It's been a long time coming But I know a change is gonna come
I go to the movie, and I go downtown Somebody keep telling me 'Don't hang around' It's been a long time coming But I know a change is gonna come
Then I go to my brother and I say, 'Brother, help me please' But he winds up knocking me back down on my knees
There've been times that I've thought I couldn't last for long But now I think I'm able to carry on It's been a long time coming But I know a change is gonna come