I was born by the river In a little tent And just like the river I've been running ever since It's been a long, long time coming But I know a change gonna come Oh, yes it will It's been too hard living But I'm afraid to die I don't know what's up there beyond the sky I go to the movie and I go downtown but somebody keep telling me don't hang around It's been a long, long time coming But I know a change gonna come Oh yes it will Then I go to my brother I say brother help me please But he winds up knocking me Back down on my knees There's been times that I thought I couldn't last for long But now I think I'm able to carry on It's been a long, long time coming But I know a change is gonna come Oh, yes it will