Lyrics:

I was born by the river
In a little tent
And, oh, just like the river, I've been running ever since

It's been a long, a long time comin'
But I, I know a change gon' 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 comin'
But I, I know a change gon' come
Oh, yes it will

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 comin'
But I know, I know a change gon' come
Oh, yes it will

And then I go to my mother
(My mother, can you help me?)
I said, 'Mother, could you help me please?'
(Help me, help me please)
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

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 comin'
But I know a change gon' come
Oh, yes it will