Aretha Franklin

"A Change Is Gonna Come" (by Sam Cooke)

Lyric Snippet:

"Sometimes I had to cry all night long, yes I did Sometimes I had to give up right, for what I knew was wrong Yes. it's been an uphill journey It's sure's been a long way coming, yes it has It's been real hard, every step of the way But I believe, I believe This evening my change is come Yeah, I tell you that my change is come"

Discussion Questions:

• What change do you think is coming?

• Aretha Franklin's recording was released in 1967. What was happening around that time in the United States?

• Why do you think Aretha chose to cover this song?

• What do you think this song is about?

• What does is mean to "give up right, for what...was wrong"?