i was born by a river in a little tent 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