I was born by the river
In a little tent*
Just like the river I've been runnin' ever since
It's been a long long time comin' but I know
Change gonna come, yes it will
It's been too hard livin' but I'm afraid to die
Cuz I don't know whats up there beyond the sky
It's been a long long time comin' but I know
Change gonna come, 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, yes it will
Then I go to my brother and I say brother help me please
But he winds up knockin' me back down on my knees
There have 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, yes it will.


*the original version by Sam Cooke has "tent" whereas some newer versions substitute "tent" with "town".