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

It's been a long
a long time coming
but I, I know a change gonna come
Ooooh yes it will

It's been to 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 gonna come
Ooooh yes it will

There's been times that I thought
I wouldn't last for long (naww)
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
Oooh yes you will

And then I go to my mother
I said mother could you 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

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 change gonna come
Ooooh yes it will...