A Change Is Gonna Come Lyrics
And just like this river
I've been running ever since
It's been a too long, too long-time a-coming
But I know a change gonna come
Oh, yes, it is
It's been too hard living
And I'm afraid to die
I don't know what's up there beyond the sky
It's been a long time a, long time a-coming
But I know, Lord I know a change gonna come, Lord
Yeah, yes
And then I went to see my brother, oh yeah
I said, "Brother, help me, please."
He turned me down
And then I went, I went to see my sweet mother
I said, "Mama, Mama I'm down on my knees."
It's been a too hard living
And I'm afraid to die
I don't know what's up there beyond the sky
It's been a long, long time a-coming
But I know, but I know a change gonna come
Oh, long
About
It may seem strange to hear a white man (Wells) singing one of the greatest songs of the American Civil Rights movement, but why should only people of color be concerned about racial inequality and abuse?
At the time TDN recorded “A Change Is Gonna Come” (1969) it had only been five years since Sam Cooke had written the song and released it himself, so civil rights were on everyone’s mind and the abuse of American blacks was not just a “black” problem; it was an American cultural problem, one which I’m not sure we’re past even more than half a century hence.
Some have criticized Wells for tackling the song, calling it an embarrassment. But it could just as easily be interpreted as a tribute, which is most assuredly the case.
Cooke may well have died for releasing this song. He was shot to death in a hotel room less than a year after its release. He was just 33 years old. Those were troubled times. But check the headlines, folks. So are these.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
- 4.A Change Is Gonna Come
- 5.Eli’s Coming
- 10.Celebrate
