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

It's been too hard living and I'm afraid to die
I don't know what's up there beyond the sky
It's been a long time, a long time a coming
But I know, Lord, I know a change gonna come, Lord
Yeah, yes

And then I went to see my brother, oh yeah
I said, "Brother, help me, please", he turned me down
And then I went, I went to see my sweet mother
I said, "Mama, mama I'm down on my knees"

It's been a too hard living and I'm afraid to die
I don't know what's up there beyond the sky
It's been a long, long time a coming
But I know, but I know a change gonna come, oh, long