I was born by the river, in a little tent
And oh just like the river I've been runnin', ever since
It's been a long... long time comin', but I know...
A change is gonna come, woah yes it will

It's been too hard livin', but I'm afraid to die
Cause I don't know what's up there, beyond the sky
It's been a long... long time coming, but I know...
A change is gonna come, woah yes it will

Now I go to the movies, and I go downtown
But somebody keeps telling me don't, hang around
It's been a long... long time coming, but I know...
A change is gonna come, woah yes it will
Yes sir

So now I go to my brother
And I say, "Brother, help me please" (yeah)
But somehow he winds up knocking me
Back down on my knees, woah...

There were times I thought, I wouldn't last for long
Now I think I'm able, able to carry on
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 going to come
I said I know

A change is gonna come (hey)
A change is gonna come, right now (oh)
A change is gonna come, I see it now
I said a change
Is gonna come