Tapestry of Faith: Exploring Our Values Through Poetry: A Program for High School Youth

Handout 4: A Change Is Gonna Come

A CHANGE IS GONNA COME. Words and Music by SAM COOKE. Copyright 1964 (Renewed) ABKCO MUSIC, INC. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission of ALFRED PUBLISHING CO., INC.

These are the lyrics to a song you will hear.

I was born by the river in a little tent
Oh and just like the river I've been running ever since
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will
It's been too hard living but I'm afraid to die
Cause I don't know what's up there beyond the sky
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will
I go to the movie and I go downtown
Somebody keep telling me don't hang around
It's been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will
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 been times that I thought I couldn't last for long
But now 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