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, a long time comin'
But I, I know a change gon' come, oh, yes, it will
It's been too hard livin', but I am afraid to die
'Cause I don't know what's up there beyond the sky
It's been a long, a long time comin'
But I, I know a change gon' come, oh, yes, it will
There's been times that I thought I wouldn't last for long, oh!
But somehow, I think I'm able to carry on
It's been a long, a long time comin'
But I know, I know a change gon' come, oh, yes, it will
And then I go to my mother (mother) my mother (can you help me?)
My mother (mother) I said, mother, "Could you help me please?"
Help me (oh, ah), help me (oh) please, oh, yeah (help me)
She said, "I'd like to (I'd like to)
I really would, but I'm just not able" (not able)
And then I looked around (looked around), and I was right back down
Down on my knees (oh), oh-woah (oh)
There's been times that I thought I wouldn't last for long
But somehow, I think I'm able to carry on
It's been a long, a long time comin'
But I know a change gon' come, oh, yes, it will