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..