Long Time Coming
james leela Lyrics

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I was warmed by the river
In a little tent.
Oh, just like the river
I've been running
Ever since.

It's been a long,
A long time coming,

But I, I know
A change gonna come
Oh yes it will.

It's been too hard living
But I am afraid to die
'Cause I don't know what's out there
Beyond the sky
It's been a long

A long time coming,
But I, I know
A change gonna come
Oh yes it will.

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, I know
A change gonna come
Oh yes it will.

And then I go to my Mother
(Mother, my mother, can you help me?)
I said, "Mother, could you help me please?"
(Help me, 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
Oh?

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
Oh yes it will.

Overall Meaning

The song "A Change Is Gonna Come" by James Leela is a powerful and emotional lyric that touches on the struggle of the Civil Rights Movement and the personal struggles of life. The opening lines of the song, "I was warmed by the river in a little tent. Oh, just like the river I've been running ever since," express the deep sense of movement and struggle and communicate the idea of a person who has been running from the pain.

Through the lyrics of the song, Sam Cooke encourages us to hold on to our hope in the midst of adversity. The sound of the song is peaceful and slow, reflecting the emotions portrayed through the lyrics. The poignant use of repetition in lines like "It's been a long time coming, but I know a change gonna come," reinforces the idea that change is possible and that hope should not be lost.

The lyrics also convey a strong connection to the African-American community by making references to the struggles that they have faced such as historical disparities, economic struggles and difficulties in finding acceptance as equal members of society. For the singer, the river is used as a symbol for time and life - both carry on, regardless of what has happened.

Overall, the song is a powerful reminder of perseverance and hope in the face of adversity. It is a representation of the resilience and strength of African American people and remains a fan favorite to this day.

Line by Line Meaning

I was warmed by the river In a little tent. Oh, just like the river I've been running Ever since.
I took comfort in the river while in a small tent. It reminded me of how I've always been on the move, just like the river.

It's been a long, A long time coming, But I, I know A change gonna come Oh yes it will.
It's taken me a while to reach this point, but I truly believe that change is on the horizon.

It's been too hard living But I am afraid to die 'Cause I don't know what's out there Beyond the sky It's been a long
Living has been challenging, and I'm scared of what happens after death as it's unpredictable. It's been a long journey.

There's been times that I thought I wouldn't last for long But somehow I think I'm able To carry on.
I've felt like giving up before, but I've found the strength to keep going.

And then I go to my Mother (Mother, my mother, can you help me?) I said, "Mother, could you help me please?" (Help me, 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 Oh?
I turned to my mother for support, but she couldn't give me what I needed. I felt lost and helpless again.

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 Oh yes it will.
Despite the difficulties, I'm still here and able to keep going. It's been a long journey, but I still believe that change is on the horizon.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELIZABETH MARGARET MCAVOY, J.P. WILLIAMS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

Tracy727

4y↑8

I’m not going out on a limb when I say this - this is one of the best r&b records of the last 20 years . For those of us that grew up listening to bands - we miss this musical very musical soulful sound - one of the best musical productions in recent memory .