[Verse 1]

I was born by the river

In a little tent

Oh, and just like the river, I've been runnin'

Ever since

[Chorus]

It's been a long

A long time comin', but I know

A change gon' come

Oh, yes, it will

[Verse 2]

It's been too hard livin'

But I'm afraid to die

'Cause I don't know what's up there

Beyond the sky

[Chorus]

It's been a long

A long time comin', but I know

A change gon' come

Oh, yes, it will

Verse 3]

I go to the movie

And I go downtown

Somebody keep tellin' me

"Don't hang around"

[Chorus]

It's been a long

A long time comin', but I know

A change gon' come

Oh, yes, it will

[Verse 4]

Then I go to my brother

And I say, "Brother, help me please"

But he winds up

Knockin' me

Back down on my knees

Lor', there been times that I thought

I couldn't last for long

But now, I think I'm able to

Carry on

[Chorus]

It's been a long

A long time comin', but I know

A change gon' come

Oh, yes, it will