Many Rivers to Cross

Updated on Oct 20, 2023

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Released 1969 Length 2:44 Writer(s) Jimmy Cliff		Genre Reggae, gospel Label Trojan Records
"Waterfall" (1969) "Many Rivers to Cross" (1969)

"Many Rivers to Cross" is a song written in 1969 by Jimmy Cliff. It has been recorded by several artists, including Harry Nilsson, John Lennon, Joe Cocker (1982), Percy Sledge, Desmond Dekker (1980), UB40, Cher, The Brand New Heavies, Eric Burdon & The Animals, Marcia Hines, Toni Childs, Oleta Adams, Linda Ronstadt and Annie Lennox.

Background

Cliff was only 21 when he wrote and recorded the song in 1969, stating he wrote the song due to the trouble he was having making it as a successful musical artist after originally finding tremendous success in his home of Jamaica beginning at age 14 before moving to the United Kingdom. Cliff stated, "When I came to the UK, I was still in my teens. I came full of vigor: I’m going to make it, I’m going to be up there with the Beatles and the Stones. And it wasn’t really going like that, I was touring clubs, not breaking through. I was struggling, with work, life, my identity, I couldn’t find my place; frustration fueled the song." Regarding the line, "Wandering I am lost, as I travel along the White Cliffs of Dover," Cliff stated, "...that came from the number of times I crossed the channel to the continent. Most of the time it was France but sometimes it was Germany. It was a very frustrating time. I came to England with very big hopes and I saw my hopes fading. And that song came out of that experience."

Song information

Cliff stated he was working on his second album for Island Records but held the song back because he did not think a ballad would be appropriate. Cliff waited until he came to New York to mix the record and add overdubs and backing vocals. Cliff was walking from his residence to the studio, which took 15 minutes, and finished composing the song in his head. On the last day of the session, as the union backing musicians were preparing to leave, Cliff asked if he could play a song idea he had. Cliff added, "I started singing, the band came in, and that was it. Once. That was it. And then Chris said, ‘OK, let's put this one in to fill out the album.’"

This is one of the few Cliff tracks to use an organ, which helps to supplement the gospel feel provided by the backing vocalists. Cliff released the song, with production work by Leslie Kong, on his 1969 album, Jimmy Cliff. It was also released on the 1972 soundtrack album for the film The Harder They Come, in which Cliff also starred. Rolling Stone ranked it #325 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

The song is featured in the 2013 film Rush, in addition to the TV shows Wilfred , Daredevil and Falling Skies.

UB40 version

"'Many Rivers to Cross'" is the third single by the reggae group UB40 from the album Labour of Love. This single peaked at the number 16 on the singles chart in the UK and the number 48 in New Zealand.