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A Change Is Gonna Come

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A CHANGE IS GONNA COME
As recorded by Otis Redding
(From the 1965 Album OTIS BLUE/OTIS REDDING SINGS SOUL)
For easier chord fingerings you may put a capo at 1st fret
and transpose -1 step.
[Intro]
N.C.
[Verse 1]
AbI was born by a river in this little old tentBbm  
BbmOh just like this river  FmI've been running ever since
AbIt's been a long long, Bbmlong time Dbcoming
DbBut I Cknow, but I know a Fmchange is gotta come
AbOh yes it is
[Verse 2]
AbIt's been too hard living, oh my
AbAnd I'm afraid to dieBbm  
BbmI don't know what's up thereFm  
FmBeyond the clouds
AbIt's been a long long, Bbmlong time coming
DbBut I know, Cbut I know Fma change is gotta comeBbm  
AbOh yes it is
[Bridge]
BbmThere was a time I would go to Abmy brotherBbm  
BbmI asked my brother, "Will you help Fmme please?"Bbm  
BbmHe turned me down and then I ask my Fmdear mother, oh
Bb7I said "Mother!"
Bb7I said "Mother! I'm down on Ebmy knees"
[Verse 3]
AbIt's been a time that I thought
AbLord this couldn't last for very longBbm  
BbmBut somehow I thought I was still able   Fmto try to carry on
AbIt's been a long long, Bbmlong time coming
BbmBut DbI knCow Fma change is gonna come
AbOh, yes it is
[Bridge]
BbmJust like I said, I went to my little Abbitty brother, my littlee brotherBbm  
BbmI asked my brother "Brother help me Fmplease?"Bbm  
BbmHe turned me down and then I go Fmto my little mother, my dear motherBb7  
Bb7I said "Mother!"
I said "Mother! I'm down Ebon my knees"
[Verse 4]
AbBut there was a time that I thought
AbLord this couldn't last for very Bbmlong
But somehow I thought I was still aFmble to try to carry on
AbIt's been a long long, Bbmlong time coming
DbBut I know, bCmut I know a Fmchange is gotta come
FmOoh it's been so Dblong, it's been so long, a Cmlittle too long
CmBut a change Fmhas gotta come
[Outro]
AbI'm so tired, so tired of Dbstanding by myself
CmAnd standCing by my self
FmAnd standing up alone
FmBut a change has gotta come
FmYou know and I know
FmYou know that DbI know
DbI know that Cmyou know, honey
CmThat a change Fmis gonne come, oh myAb  Db  

All chords in this song (8)

The story behind the song

This song, performed by Otis Redding, carries a deep emotional weight, speaking to the struggle for civil rights and the hope for a better future. It was inspired by the songwriter's own experiences with racial discrimination, particularly an incident where he was turned away from a whites-only motel. Feeling a strong need to voice his and others' struggles, the song became a powerful anthem for the Civil Rights Movement. It weaves together personal encounters with a broader message about justice, reflecting a yearning for change and a questioning of the world's fairness. Playing this song means channeling a profound sense of resilience and the enduring hope for equality.

AI-written from these sources:A Change Is Gonna Come — Wikipedia ↗Otis Redding — Wikipedia ↗MusicBrainz ↗

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A Change Is Gonna Come

by Otis Redding

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

Bbm

Bb7

A CHANGE IS GONNA COME

As recorded by Otis Redding

(From the 1965 Album OTIS BLUE/OTIS REDDING SINGS SOUL)

For easier chord fingerings you may put a capo at 1st fret

and transpose -1 step.

[Intro]

N.C.

[Verse 1]

Ab Bbm

I was born by a river in this little old tent

Bbm Fm

Oh just like this river I've been running ever since

Ab Bbm Db

It's been a long long, long time coming

Db C Fm

But I know, but I know a change is gotta come

Oh yes it is

[Verse 2]

It's been too hard living, oh my

Ab Bbm

And I'm afraid to die

Bbm Fm

I don't know what's up there

Beyond the clouds

Ab Bbm

It's been a long long, long time coming

Db C Fm Bbm

But I know, but I know a change is gotta come

Oh yes it is

[Bridge]

Bbm Ab Bbm

There was a time I would go to my brother

Bbm Fm Bbm

I asked my brother, "Will you help me please?"

Bbm Fm

He turned me down and then I ask my dear mother, oh

Bb7

I said "Mother!"

Bb7 Eb

I said "Mother! I'm down on my knees"

[Verse 3]

It's been a time that I thought

Ab Bbm

Lord this couldn't last for very long

Bbm Fm

But somehow I thought I was still able to try to carry on

Ab Bbm

It's been a long long, long time coming

Bbm Db C Fm

But I know a change is gonna come

Oh, yes it is

[Bridge]

Bbm Ab Bbm

Just like I said, I went to my little bitty brother, my littlee brother

Bbm Fm Bbm

I asked my brother "Brother help me please?"

Bbm Fm Bb7

He turned me down and then I go to my little mother, my dear mother

Bb7

I said "Mother!"

I said "Mother! I'm down on my knees"

[Verse 4]

But there was a time that I thought

Ab Bbm

Lord this couldn't last for very long

But somehow I thought I was still able to try to carry on

Ab Bbm

It's been a long long, long time coming

Db Cm Fm

But I know, but I know a change is gotta come

Fm Db Cm

Ooh it's been so long, it's been so long, a little too long

Cm Fm

But a change has gotta come

[Outro]

Ab Db

I'm so tired, so tired of standing by myself

Cm C

And standing by my self

And standing up alone

But a change has gotta come

You know and I know

Fm Db

You know that I know

Db Cm

I know that you know, honey

Cm Fm Ab Db

That a change is gonne come, oh my

About A Change Is Gonna Come Chords by Otis Redding

Learn how to play A Change Is Gonna Come by Otis Redding with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “A Change Is Gonna Come chords”, “A Change Is Gonna Come guitar chords”, or “Otis Redding A Change Is Gonna Come chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy A Change Is Gonna Come chords and for experienced players who want accurate A Change Is Gonna Come lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include A, C, Ab, Bbm, Fm, Db.

FAQ — A Change Is Gonna Come by Otis Redding

How do I play "A Change Is Gonna Come" by Otis Redding on guitar?

Open the free chords for "A Change Is Gonna Come" by Otis Redding on Free Chord Book. Tap any chord to see its diagram, use transpose to change the key, and turn on auto-scroll to play hands-free.

Are the chords for "A Change Is Gonna Come" by Otis Redding free?

Yes. The chords for "A Change Is Gonna Come" by Otis Redding are 100% free on Free Chord Book — no sign-up required.

Can I transpose "A Change Is Gonna Come" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "A Change Is Gonna Come" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "A Change Is Gonna Come"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "A Change Is Gonna Come" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "A Change Is Gonna Come" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "A Change Is Gonna Come" by Otis Redding with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Otis Redding below.

What key is "A Change Is Gonna Come" in?

The chords for "A Change Is Gonna Come" show the original chord names (including A, C, Ab, Bbm, Fm, Db). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.