I was born by the rivernIn a little old tentnAnd just like that rivernI've been running ever sincenIt's been a longnBeen a long time comingnBut I know change is gonna comenOh yes it isnnIt's been too hard livingnOh but I'm afraid to dienI don't know what's up therenBeyond the cloudsnIt's been a longnIt's been a long time comingnBut I know change is gonna comenOh yes it isnnThere was a timenWhen I asked my brothernAnd my brother, I saidnBrother, brother won't you help me pleasenWhen it needs I'm downnAnd when I asked my mothernMy dear sweet mother, I saidnMama, mama I'm downnOn my kneesnnAnd there was a time, LordnWhen less I loannLord I was ablenSomehow here we arenIt's been a longnIt's been a long time comingnBut I know change is gonna comenOh yes it isnnLike I saidnThere was a timenWhen I asked my brothernMy brother, I saidnBrother, brother won't you help me pleasenWhen it needs sent me downnAnd when I asked my little mothernAnd my mother, I saidnMama, mama I'm downnOn my kneesnnAnd there was a timenOh, unless I loannThought I was evilnSomehow to carry onnIt's been a longnIt's been a long time comingnBut I know change is gonna comenOh yes it isnnThere was a timenWhen I asked my brothernMy brother, I saidnBrother, brother won't you help me pleasenWhen it needs sent me downnAnd when I asked my little mothernAnd my mother, I saidnMama, mama I'm downnOn my kneesnnAnd there was a timenOh, unless I loannThought I was evilnSomehow to carry onnIt's been a longnIt's been a long time comingnBut I know change is gonna comenOh yes it isnnAnd I know, I know change has gotta comenYes and I know that you know that I know that you know that change has gotta comenI am so tired, so tired, change has gotta comenYes a change, a change has gotta come