Intro: F9 D#9, D7 Verse 1: G I was born by the river, in a little tent, Am7 Em Oh and just like that river, I've, been running, ever since. G Am7 C7 B7 It's been a long... a long time coming, but I know, oh-oh-oh, Em G a change's gonna come, oh, yes it will. Verse 2: G It's been too hard living, but I'm afraid to die, Am7 Em 'Cos I don't know what's out there, beyond the sky. G Am7 C7 B7 It's been a long... a long time coming, but I know, oh-oh-oh, Em G a change is gonna come, oh, yes it will. Verse 3: G I go to the movie and I go downtown, Am7 Em Somebody keep telling me don't, hang around. G Am7 C7 B7 It's been a long... a long time coming, but I know, oh-oh-oh, Em G a change is gonna come, oh, yes it will. Bridge: Am7 G6 Then I go to my brother, Am7 Em And I say brother, help me please. Am7 Em But he winds up, knockin' me, A9 D7 Back down on my knees, oh... Verse 4: G There been times that I thought, I couldn't last for long, Am7 Em But now I think I'm able to, carry on. G Am7 C7 B7 It's been a long... a long time coming, but I know, oh-oh-oh, Em G a change is gonna come, oh, yes it will. This arrangement is its contributor’s own interpretation, shared for private study, education and non-commercial use. The underlying song, lyrics and music remain the property of their copyright owners. To request removal, see Legal & Copyright.
A Change Is Gonna Come chords by Sam Cooke
1
d
2
–
3
–
4
d
5
–
6
u
Also works: 6/8 flowing d – u d – u
How to play A Change Is Gonna Come on ukulele
On ukulele, A Change Is Gonna Come comes down to the 6/8 lilt: d – – d – u. The meter is 12/8, four groups of three per bar, so the pattern loops twice per bar. It rolls along at a relaxed pace of around 63 bpm with a light swing. I rate the chords skilled, a fair middle ground. Sway through the slow 6/8 triplet feel and let it build.
10 ukulele chords used in "A Change Is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke: Am7, A9, B7, C7, D7, Eb9, Em, F9, G and G6
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…Also, he sings the song in B flat. It’s interesting to me that Aretha also sings it in B flat. Really shows what kind of pipes Sam had.
Beautiful Song!
any suggestions on strum patterns?
Great job Jonas. This is very useful to me because I’m learning this song on the ukulele.
A couple of minor lyric change suggestions based on what he actually sang on the original recording:
Verse 2: “…I don’t know what’s OUT there, beyond” should be “I don’t know what’s UP there, beyond…”
“a change is gonna come, OH, yes it will.” should be “a change is gonna come, LORD, yes it will.”
Thanks for you effort!
The tabs are great, but the lyrics are a bit off.