I was warmed by the river
In a little tent.
Oh, just like the river
I've been running
Ever since.

It's been a long,
A long time coming,
But I, I know
A change gonna come
Oh yes it will.

It's been too hard living
But I am afraid to die
'Cause I don't know what's out there
Beyond the sky
It's been a long

A long time coming,
But I, I know
A change gonna come
Oh yes it will.

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 coming,
But I know, I know
A change gonna come
Oh yes it will.

And then I go to my Mother
(Mother, my mother, can you help me?)
I said, "Mother, could you help me please?"
(Help me, help me please)

She said, "I'd like to, I really would,
But I'm just not able"

Then I looked around
And I was right back down
Down on my knees
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 coming,
But I know
A change gonna come
Oh yes it will.

Copyright: BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Writer(s): ELIZABETH MARGARET MCAVOY, J.P. WILLIAMS