I was born by the river, oh, in a little tent Oh, and just like the river I've been running Ever since, oh, it's been a long, long, long A long time coming, but I know Change gon' come, change gon' 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 yet Beyond the sky, oh, it's been a long, long, long A long time coming, but I know Change gon' come, change gon' come Oh, yes it will Oh, when I go home to my brother A long, a long time And I say, brother, help me please Help me please But he winds up mocking me Right down on my, on my knees Oh, there's been times that I thought I couldn't last for long But now I think I'm able To carry on, oh, it's been a long, long, long A long time coming, but I know Change gon' come, change gon' come Oh, yes it will Oh, now when I go, when I go To see my, my, my brother A long, a long time And I say, brother, help me please Help me please But he winds up mocking me Right down on my, on my, my knees Oh, there's been times that I thought I couldn't last for long But now I think I'm able To carry on, oh, it's been a long, long, long A long time coming, but I know Change gon' come, change gon' come Oh, yes it will Oh, it's been a long, long, long time coming But I know, I know Change gon' come, change gon' come Oh, yes it will