A Change Is Gonna Come
james leela Lyrics


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I was born by the river
In a little tent
And gorgeous like the river
I've been runnin' ever since

It's been a long
A long time coming
But I, I know a change gonna come
Ooh yes it will

It's been to hard living
But I am 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, I know a change gonna come
Ooh yes it will

There's been times that I thought
I wouldn't last for long (naw)
But somehow
I think I'm able to carry on

It's been a long
A long time coming
But I know, I know a change is gonna come
Ooh yes you will

And then I go to my mother
I said mother could you help me please?
She said: I'd like to, I really would
But I'm just not able
Then I looked around
And I was right back down
Down on my knees

There's been times that I thought
I wouldn't last for long
But somehow
I think I'm able to carry on

It's been a long
A long time coming




But I know, a change gonna come
Ooh yes it will

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to James Leela's "A Change is Gonna Come" are powerful and full of hope, but they also speak to the struggle and hardship that the singer has faced. The opening lines, "I was born by the river, In a little tent" paint a picture of poverty and struggle - the singer is not born into privilege, but instead into a life that is defined by hardship. The river can be seen as a metaphor for life and its unrelenting flow - the singer is "gorgeous" like the river, but also feels like they have been running ever since, always trying to keep up with the current of life.


The lyrics convey a sense of longing and determination, as the singer knows that change is coming even though it has been a long time coming. The repetition of the line "It's been a long, a long time coming" emphasizes the weight of the struggle and hardship that has been faced, but also speaks to the resilience of the human spirit. The singer is "afraid to die" because they don't know what is beyond the sky, but at the same time, they are able to find the strength to carry on. The repeated refrain, "But I know a change gonna come, ooh yes it will" is an anthem of hope and faith in the face of adversity.


The final lines of the song bring it back to the singer's personal struggle, as they turn to their mother for help only to find that she is not able to provide it. The sense of desperation and defeat is palpable as the singer ends up back on their knees, but still, they know that they are able to carry on. The message of the song is one of resilience - even in the face of hardship, there is always hope for a better future.


Line by Line Meaning

I was born by the river
I was born into a life of struggle and hardship, surrounded by a river that is both beautiful and powerful, representing the hope for something better.


In a little tent
My beginnings were humble and simple, lacking in material comfort but rich in spirit and resilience.


And gorgeous like the river
Just like the river, I am a magnificent and awe-inspiring force, blessed with beauty and determination.


I've been runnin' ever since
I have been constantly striving and struggling to improve my life and the lives of those around me, fueled by the hope and faith that a better future is possible.


It's been a long
The journey has been arduous and difficult, filled with obstacles and setbacks that have tested my resolve.


A long time coming
I have been waiting and working towards change for what feels like an eternity, facing countless challenges and setbacks along the way.


But I, I know a change gonna come
Despite the obstacles and challenges, I remain steadfast in my belief that positive change is inevitable and will come to pass.


Ooh yes it will
I am certain that things will get better, no matter how difficult or hopeless they may seem at the moment.


It's been to hard living
The struggle and hardship of my life have taken a toll on me, leaving me weary and tired.


But I am afraid to die
Despite the difficulties of life, I remain afraid to pass on to the next world, unsure of what it may hold.


Cause I don't know what's up there
I am uncertain of what may await me in the afterlife, and this fear drives me to keep fighting for a better life in the present.


Beyond the sky
The unknown and unknowable nature of the afterlife is a source of mystery and fear, and I am uncertain of what lies beyond the limits of our world.


There's been times that I thought
Throughout my struggles and hardships, there have been moments where I have lost hope and felt like giving up.


I wouldn't last for long (naw)
In these moments of despair, I have doubted my ability to endure and keep fighting for a better life.


But somehow
Despite these doubts and fears, I have found a way to keep going, to keep striving for positive change in my life and in the world around me.


I think I'm able to carry on
Through the strength of my spirit and the support of those around me, I am able to persevere and continue on my journey towards a better future.


And then I go to my mother
Amidst the challenges and struggles of life, I turn to my loved ones for support and guidance, seeking comfort and strength from those closest to me.


I said mother could you help me please?
In moments of great need, I reach out to those I trust and love for help, knowing that they will be there for me in my darkest hours.


She said: I'd like to, I really would
My mother, like those who love and support me, wants to help me in any way she can, but is often limited in her ability to do so by the circumstances of our lives.


But I'm just not able
Despite her desire to help, my mother, like many others, is constrained by the limitations of her own life and struggles, unable to provide the support that I may need at all times.


Then I looked around
In these moments of struggle and hardship, I take stock of my surroundings and look for other sources of strength and support that may be available to me.


And I was right back down
Despite the difficulties I face, I remain resolved to keep fighting and striving towards a better future, never giving up or giving in to despair.


Down on my knees
In these moments of struggle and hardship, I turn to prayer and spiritual faith for comfort and guidance, seeking solace in the divine and the unknowable.


But somehow
Despite all of the challenges and hardships of my life, I remain hopeful and determined to continue fighting for positive change, knowing that a better future is possible.


I know, I know a change gonna come
Through my struggles and hardships, I remain certain that positive change is inevitable, that the struggle and hardship of my life will one day give way to a brighter, more hopeful future.


Ooh yes it will
I remain steadfast in my belief that things will get better, that the journey towards a better future may be difficult and arduous, but that ultimately, positive change is inevitable.




Lyrics Š Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Abkco Music Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Sam Cooke

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@00michelle86

I was born by the river
In a little tent
And gorgeous like the river
I've been runnin' ever since
It's been a long
A long time coming
But I, I know a change gonna come
Ooh yes it will
It's been to hard living
But I am 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, I know a change gonna come
Ooh yes it will
There's been times that I thought
I wouldn't last for long (naw)
But somehow
I think I'm able to carry on
It's been a long
A long time coming
But I know, I know a change is gonna come
Ooh yes you will
And then I go to my mother
I said mother could you help me please?
She said: I'd like to, I really would
But I'm just not able
Then I looked around
And I was right back down
Down on my knees
There's been times that I thought
I wouldn't last for long
But somehow
I think I'm able to carry on
It's been a long
A long time coming
But I know, a change gonna come
Ooh yes it will


Source: LyricFind



All comments from YouTube:

@CurrentlyDrowning

as a mentally ill woman, this song brings me such peace. i play it whenever i'm down. any rendition is beautiful, but this one in particular sings to my soul

@kv754

Me too!!! I have major depressive disorder, I feel your pain🙏💗

@lynnforde2291

@K V I pray you are ok I have been feeling this way lately God help us 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

@brendapenrose6681

I hope you're getting the help you need and that you have a circle of some support groups, family, and friends 🙏

@trudyjohnson7321

I played this for my father funeral it really captured my pain at that moment 15yrs ago amazing voice!!!

@JDels-hn2ut

Sam must be up in heaven smiling as he listens to Leela's angelic voice beautifully interpreting one of his signature songs! Thanks for sharing.

@nennen6379

hands down one of the best young soul singers out there!

@teresam350

I have listened to all the versions of this song on youtube , and they each have their own talent, but no-one sends it home like Leela James. She is the best, it is a privilege to just hear her sing it. You definitely go to another place.

@LizzieFenwick

+Teresa McGrath Sam Cooke did it best. It's HIS song. I will give you that she does a great job, but no one will ever pull it off better than Sam.

@jerrynelson5216

+Lizzie Fenwick ( I think she has them all beat)

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