A Change Is Gonna Come

There are few songs written that could be called "perfect." The majority of Sam Cooke's were perfect. His voice always had perfect tone, pitch and timbre. His chords always supported his melody in the most natural way. There has not been a singer on earth that has not envied every aspect of Sam's talent upon hearing his voice.

In 1963, Sam wrote "A Change Is Gonna Come" as a anthem for the civil rights movement. It's lack of malice, resentment, and hate is part of it's beauty. The lyrics reflect the day to day experiences of Black America in the 1960's and leaves the listener with hope that one day life will be void of the hardships in the song.

He sings...

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 knockin' me
Back down on my knees

Ohhhhhhhhh.....

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

Here is Sam's version



Otis Redding's Version



Aaron Neville's Version



Terence Trent D'Arby's Version