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 along
   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..