I was born by the river in a little tent

Oh just like the river I've been runnin' ever since

It's been a long long time comin' but I know

Change gonna come oh yes it will

It's been to hard livin' but I'm afraid to die

'Cause I don't know what's up there beyond the sky

It's been a long long time comin' but I know

Change gonna come woah yes it will

I go to the movie and I go downtown

Somebody keep tellin' me don't hang around

It's been a long long time comin' but I know

That change gonna come oh yes it will

When I go to my brother I say brother help me please

But he winds up knockin' me back

Down on my knees beggin' please yeah

There've been times I thought I couldn't last that long

Now I think I'm able to carry on

It's been a long long time long time comin'

But I know that change gonna come oh yes it will