I was born by the river in a little old tent
And just like the river I've been running ever since
It's been a long, long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come

It's been too hard living but I'm afraid to die
'Cos I don't know what's out there beyond the sky
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come, oh yes, it will

Then I go to my brother
And I say, "Brother, help me please"
But when I go to my brother
He winds up knocking me
Back down on my knees

There been times when I thought I wouldn't last for long
But somehow I think I'm gonna be able to carry on
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come, oh yes, it will

Then I go to my brother
And I say, "Brother, help me please"
But when I go to my dear old brother
He winds up knocking, he winds up knock
Knock, knocking me back down on my knees

There's been times when I thought I wouldn't last for long
And now I think I'm gonna be able to pick myself up and carry on
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come
Somehow I know a change is gonna come

I, I know, I know a change is gonna come
I, I know that a change, a change, a change is gonna come