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
Oh 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
Oh yes, it will

There's been times that I thought
I wouldn't last for long (naw)
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, 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
Oh yes, it will