There's an old friend, that I once heard say something that touched my heart, and it began this way... I was born by the river in a little tent, and just like the river, I've been runnin' ever since... he said it's been a long time comin', but I know my change is gonna come, oh yeah... he said it's been too hard livin' but I'm afraid to die, I might not be if I knew what was up there, beyond the sky... It's been a long, a long time comin' ! But I know my change has got to come, oh yeah... I went, I went to my brother, and I asked him, "Brother, could you help me, please?" He said, "Good sister, I'd like to but I'm not able", and when I, when I looked around, I was right back down, down on my bended knees, yes I was, oh ! There've been times that I thought, I thought that I wouldn't last for long but somehow right now, I believe that I'm able, I'm able to carry on... I tell you that it's been a long, and oh it's been an uphill journey, all the way... but I know, I know, I know, I know my change is gonna come ! Sometimes, I had to cry all night long, yes I did sometimes, I had to give up right, for what I knew was wrong... yes it's been an uphill journey, it's sure's been a long way comin', yes it has ! It's been real hard every step of the way, but I believe, I believe... this evenin' my change is come yeah, I tell you that my change is come !
