[Verse 1]
I was born by the river, in a little tent
And oh, just like that river
I've been running ever since

[Chorus]
It's been a long, long time coming, but I know
A change is gonna come, oh yes it will

[Verse 2]
It's been too hard living, but I'm afraid to die
Cause I don't know what's up there, beyond the sky

[Chorus]
It's been a long, long time coming, but I know
A change is gonna come, oh yes it will

[Verse 3]
Now I go to the movies, and I go downtown
But somebody keeps telling me don't hang around

[Chorus]
It's been a long, long time coming, but I know
A change is gonna come, oh yes it will
Yes, sir

[Verse 4]
So now I go to my brother
And I say, "Brother, help me, please"
But somehow, he winds up knocking me
Back down on my knees
Oh, there were times I thought I wouldn't last for long
Now I think I'm able, able to carry on

[Chorus]
It's been a long, long time coming, but I know
A change is gonna come, yes it will, oh, I know
A change is gonna come
I said I know

[Outro]
A change is gonna come, hey, yeah
A change is gonna come, right now
A change is gonna come, I see it now, yeah, oh my, yeah
I said a change is gonna come