A Change Is Gonna Come – Sam Cooke

About the Song

Even for casual listeners, the opening notes of Sam Cooke’s A Change Is Gonna Come possess an undeniable power. Released in 1964, the song transcends mere entertainment, emerging as a powerful anthem for a nation grappling with social upheaval.

Cooke, a pioneer of Soul music, was no stranger to struggle. Despite his soaring vocals and undeniable talent, he, like many Black artists of the era, faced segregation and prejudice in the music industry. Yet, A Change Is Gonna Come finds Cooke not succumbing to despair, but rather channeling his experiences into a message of hope and resilience.

The song opens with a simple yet evocative image: “I was born by the river in a little tent / Oh, and just like the river I’ve been a-runnin’ ever since.” This metaphor of the ever-flowing river establishes a sense of constant movement, a yearning for something better. The lyrics paint a picture of hardship – “It’s been a long, a long time comin'” – but Cooke doesn’t wallow. Instead, he injects a powerful affirmation: “I know, oh-oo-oh, a change gon’ come, oh yes, it will.”

A Change Is Gonna Come doesn’t shy away from the realities of the time. Cooke references the segregated experiences of Black Americans: “I go to the movie and I go downtown / Somebody keep tellin’ me don’t hang around.” The frustration and fear are palpable. However, the song never descends into bitterness. The repeated refrain, “a change gon’ come,” acts as a mantra, a promise whispered to himself and his listeners.

The emotional core of the song lies in the final verse. Cooke sings of seeking solace from his brother, only to be “knocking me back down on my knees.” This moment of despair is crucial, as it makes the subsequent line all the more powerful: “There’ve been times that I thought I couldn’t last for long / But now I think I’m able to carry on.” A Change Is Gonna Come recognizes the weight of struggle, but ultimately celebrates the indomitable human spirit.

Sam Cooke’s A Change Is Gonna Come is more than just a song; it’s a testament to the enduring power of hope. Released at a pivotal moment in American history, it became an anthem for the Civil Rights Movement, a beacon of light for those yearning for a more just and equitable world. Even today, the song’s message of resilience and unwavering belief in a better future continues to resonate.

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Lyrics: “A Change Is Gonna Come”

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 gon’ 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 gon’ 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 gon’ 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

There’ve 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 gon’ come, oh yes, it will