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

It's been a long
A long time coming
But I, I know a change is gonna 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 coming
But I, I know a change is gonna come
Oh yes, it will

There's been times that I thought
I wouldn't last for long, oh
But somehow
I think I'm able to carry on

It's been a long
A long time coming
But I know, I know a change is gonna come
Oh yes, it will

And then I go to my mother
"Mother, can you help me?"
I said mother, Could you help me please?”
Help me, help me please, help me, oh ya

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, woah, 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 coming
But I know a, a change is gonna come
Oh yes, it will