A Change Is Gonna Come
View chords used in this chart
Bb
There's an old friend
F Gm Bb
That I once heard say
Eb Cm
Something that touched my heart
C5 F
And it began this way
Bb Dm Gm7
I was born by the river
Bb Cm7
In a little tent
Gm
And just like the river
F Bb
I've been runnin' ever since
Eb D7
He said it's been a long time comin'
Gm Gm7
But I know my change is gonna come
Bb
Oh, yeah
( Cm7 F7 Bb )
Gm
He said it's been too hard livin'
Bb Cm7
But I'm afraid to die
Cm
I might not be if I knew
Gm F Bb
What was up there beyond the sky
Bb7 Eb7M Eb D7
It's been a long, a long time comin'
Gm
But I know my change has got to come
Bb Cm
Oh, yeah
Gm Cm
I went, I went to my brother
Gm
And I asked him: brother
Cm7
Could you help me, please?
Gm
He said: good sister
I'd like to, but I'm not able
C C7
And when I, when I looked around
I was right back down
F
Down on my bended knees
F7 Bb
Yes, I was, oh
D Gm
There've been times that I thought
Bb Cm7
I thought that I wouldn't last for long
Gm
But somehow right now I believe
F Bb7
That I'm able, I'm able to carry on
I tell you that it's been along
Eb
And oh, it's been an uphill journey
D7
All the way
Gm
But I know, I know, I know
Eb7 Bb
I know my change is gonna come
Bb7 Eb7
Sometimes I had to cry all night long
Yes, I did
Bb7 Eb7
Sometimes I had to give up right
For what I knew was wrong
Bb7
Yes, it's been an uphill journey
Eb7
It's sure's been a long way comin'
Yes, it has
Bb7
It's been real hard
Eb7
Every step of the way
But I believe, I believe
Bb7
This evenin' my change is come
How to play A Change Is Gonna Come
Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.
What is the starting chord?
The first identified chord is Bb. You can transpose without leaving the page.
Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?
Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.