A Change Is Gonna Come
Rivers of Hope: Otis Redding's Anthem for Change
Lyrics
I was born by a river, oh man, in this little old tent, oh
I come from humble beginnings, born near a river in a small, simple shelter.
Just like this river, I've been running ever since
My life has been a continuous journey, much like the flow of a river.
It's been a long, long time coming
There has been a considerable passage of time.
But I know, but I know, a change is gotta come
I am aware that change is inevitable and on the horizon.
Ooo yes it is
Emphasizing the certainty of this change.
Oh my, oh my, oh my, oh my
An expression of deep emotion or surprise.
It's been too hard living, oh my
Life has been extremely difficult and challenging.
And I'm afraid to die
I fear the unknown of death.
I don't know what's up there
Uncertainty about what lies beyond life.
Beyond the clouds
Contemplating the mysteries or uncertainties of the afterlife.
It's been a long, long time coming
Reiterating the passage of an extensive duration.
But I know, but I know a change is gotta come
Despite the time, I'm convinced change will eventually occur.
Oh yes it is
Reaffirming the certainty of the impending change.
Oh my, oh my, oh my
Expressing emotion or astonishment.
There's a time I would go to my brother, oh my
Recalling a time of seeking help from family.
I asked my brother, "Will you help me please?", oh my oh my
Asking for assistance from a sibling, met with refusal.
He turned me down and then I ask my dear mother, oh
Turning to the mother for aid and guidance.
I said "Mother!"
An expression of reaching out emotionally.
I said "Mother! I'm down on my knees"
A plea for help and support.
It's been a time that I thought
A period where the hardship seemed unsustainable.
Lord this couldn't last for very long, oh now
Believing that the difficult times couldn't persist.
But somehow I thought I was still able to try to carry on
Feeling the strength to persevere.
It's been a long, long time coming
Reiterating the passage of a significant amount of time.
But I know a change is gonna come
Despite the duration, I believe change will come.
Oh, yes it is
Affirming the impending arrival of change.
Just like I said, I went to my little bitty brother, oh my little brother now
Repeating the attempt to seek help from family.
I asked my brother "Brother help me please?", oh now
Asking for assistance from a sibling again, met with refusal.
He turned me down and then I go to my little mother, my dear mother, oh my
Turning again to the mother for assistance.
I said "Mother!"
Expressing a plea to the mother for aid.
I said "Mother! I'm down on my knees"
An emotional appeal for support.
But there was a time that I thought
Reflecting on a time when the hardship seemed insurmountable.
Lord this couldn't last for very long, oh my
Believing that the challenging period couldn't endure.
Somehow I thought I was still able to try to carry on
Still feeling capable of persevering through difficulties.
It's been a long, long time coming
Reiterating the extended duration of struggle.
But I know, but I know a change is gotta come, ooo
Despite the time, change is believed to be imminent.
It's been so long, it's been so long, a little too long
Expressing the feeling of waiting for change for too long.
A change has gotta come
Asserting the necessity of change.
So tired, so tired of standing by myself
Expressing exhaustion from enduring difficulties alone.
And standing up alone
Feeling weary from standing up against challenges without support.
A change has gotta come
Reiterating the necessity for change due to exhaustion.
You know and I know, and you know that I know
Indicating mutual understanding of the need for change.
I know that you know, honey
Emphasizing the shared awareness of the impending change.
That a change is gonna come oh yeah oh, I gotta
A confident assertion that change is indeed on the way.
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