A Change Is Gonna Come
Composer(s): Sam Cooke
First release by: Sam Cooke - 1964
Covered by multiple other artists



I was born by the river in a little tent 
And just like the river
I've been running ever since 
It's been a long time coming 
But I know a change is gonna come 

It's been too hard living, but I'm afraid to die 
I don't know what's up there beyond the sky 
It's been a long time coming 
But I know a change is gonna come 

I go to the movie, and I go downtown 
Somebody keep telling me "Don't hang around" 
It's been a long time coming 
But I know a change is gonna come 

Then I go to my brother and I say, "Brother, help me please" 
But he winds up knocking me back down on my knees 

There've been times that I've thought I couldn't last for long 
But now I think I'm able to carry on 
It's been a long time coming 
But I know a change is gonna come