'A Change is Gonna Come'

Miami Gardens student performs song at My Future My Choice town hall

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The My Future My Choice town hall on Friday began with a boy's rendition of  "A Change Is Gonna Come." The powerful song quickly became a civil rights anthem after it was released Dec. 22, 1964.

Sam Cooke, who was shot dead 11 days after the song was released, wrote it after he and his friends were turned away from a "whites only" motel in Louisiana.  

Norland Middle School's Wesley Wray performed the powerful song in Miami Gardens, before a discussion about gun violence. The destructive cycle continues to disproportionately affect African-American families in Miami-Dade. 

The Local 10 News town at Miami Norland Senior High School also included a discussion with Trayvon Martin's mom, Sabrina Fulton. Her son's death five years ago helped to fuel the Black Lives Matter movement.

A few of the cast members of "Moonlight" also talked about the importance of extracurricular programs to help nurture the talent of children who are growing up in inner-city neighborhoods. 

Here are the lyrics of the song Wesley performed:

[Verse 1]

I was born by the river

In a little tent

And just like the river I've been running

Ever since

 

[Chorus]

It's been a long time coming

But I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will

 

[Verse 2]

It's been too hard living

But I'm afraid to die

Cause I don't know what's up there

Beyond the sky

 

[Chorus]

It's been a long time coming

But I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will

 

[Verse 3]

I go to the movie

And I go downtown

Somebody keep telling me don't hang around

 

[Chorus]

It's been a long time coming

But I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will

 

[Verse 4]

Then I go to my brother

And I say brother help me please

But he winds up knockin' me

Back down on my knees

There been times when I thought I couldn't last for long

But now I think I'm able to carry on

 

[Chorus]

It's been a long time coming

But I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will

 


About the Author
Andrea Torres headshot

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.

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