A Change Is Gonna Come
Jools Holland Lyrics
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And just like the river, I've been running ever since
It's been a long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come
It's been too hard living, but I'm afraid to die
I don't know what's up there beyond the sky
It's been a long time coming
I go to the movie, and I go downtown
Somebody keep telling me "Don't hang around"
It's been a long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come
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've been times that I've thought I couldn't last for long
But now I think I'm able to carry on
It's been a long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come
The lyrics to "Change Is Gonna Come" by Jools Holland and Beverley Knight are powerful and reflect the experiences of an individual who has been struggling for a long time. The song starts with the line "I was born by the river in a little tent" which suggests that the singer was born into poverty and has faced numerous challenges in life. The comparison of the river with the singer's life suggests that they have been constantly moving and adapting to change, just as the river flows and changes over time.
The chorus "It's been a long time coming, but I know a change is gonna come" speaks to the idea that the singer has been waiting for positive change for a long time. They have faced many obstacles and setbacks, but they believe that things will get better. The lines "It's been too hard living, but I'm afraid to die, I don't know what's up there beyond the sky" suggest that the struggles of life have worn the singer down, but they are still afraid to die and uncertain about what lies beyond.
The second verse speaks to the singer's experiences of being warned away from certain areas and being knocked back down by their own brother when they ask for help. Despite these setbacks, the singer shows resilience and the determination to carry on. The final lines "There've been times that I've thought I couldn't last for long, but now I think I'm able to carry on" demonstrate the singer's strength and endurance, and the hope that positive change is finally on the horizon.
Line by Line Meaning
I was born by the river in a little tent
I come from humble beginnings.
And just like the river, I've been running ever since
I've been continuously moving or working hard, much like a river flows.
It's been a long time coming
A change has been overdue for a significant amount of time.
But I know a change is gonna come
I have faith that things will improve in the future.
It's been too hard living, but I'm afraid to die
I've struggled so much in life, but I still fear the unknown afterlife.
I don't know what's up there beyond the sky
I don't know what will happen to me after I die.
I go to the movie, and I go downtown
I try to distract myself from my troubles by going out and enjoying myself.
Somebody keep telling me 'Don't hang around'
People warn me to be careful and avoid certain situations.
Then I go to my brother and I say, 'Brother, help me please'
I turn to my family for support when times are tough.
But he winds up knocking me back down on my knees
Sometimes even our family members can let us down or make things worse.
There've been times that I've thought I couldn't last for long
I've felt like giving up on life in the past.
But now I think I'm able to carry on
I now feel capable of facing my challenges and overcoming them.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Abkco Music Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Sam Cooke
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