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Jimmy Cliff — Many Rivers to Cross
Album: The Harder They Come
Avg rating:
7.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 2573









Released: 1972
Length: 2:53
Plays (last 30 days): 1
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Many rivers to cross
But I can't seem to find my way over
Wandering I am lost
As I travel along the white cliffs of dover

Many rivers to cross
And it's only my will that keeps me alive
I've been licked, washed up for years
And I merely survive because of my pride

And this loneliness won't leave me alone
It's such a drag to be on your own
My woman left me and she didn't say why
Well, I guess I'll have to cry

Many rivers to cross
But just where to begin I'm playing for time
There have been times I find myself
Thinking of committing some dreadful crime

Yes, I've got many rivers to cross
But I can't seem to find my way over
Wandering, I am lost
As I travel along the white cliffs of Dover

Yes, I've got many rivers to cross
And I merely survive because of my will...
Comments (109)add comment
My dad played this album nonstop from 1972 until at least 1980. I actually thought that the version of Country Roads was the original until at least 6th grade. 
Jimmy crossed his final river today. 
He's a legend. 
He'll be missed.
Posted 1 day ago by scrubbrush    [ Reply ]
 Alastair wrote:

Never understood why Jimmy insisted in singing this in a key that was so obviously a struggle.  Spoils a great song. 
  


Maybe because he's honestly singing about a real personal struggle?  
For me it elevates this from merely 'a song' to an immortal classic!  
Posted 3 weeks ago by macadavy    [ Reply ]
The O.G. king roots reggae.  Knows how to belt out a spiritual, too.
Posted 2 months ago by Clark_Novato    [ Reply ]
This organ-intro reminds me on Roy Buchanan's "The messiah will come again". 
Posted 9 months ago by Pitjes    [ Reply ]
Never understood why Jimmy insisted in singing this in a key that was so obviously a struggle.  Spoils a great song. 
  
Posted 1 year ago by Alastair    [ Reply ]
 nate917 wrote:

Bill does the best segues.  It's fun to look for the common thread; sometimes, it's just that the songs were in the same key.  Other times, the songs were both about fire or something.  It is his art, and it's so enjoyable.


And sometimes it's a poke at the previous song!
Posted 1 year ago by xray38    [ Reply ]
Loving RP right this moment. Music is timeless and thankful.
Posted 1 year ago by bluecshells    [ Reply ]
From Toccata in D minor to this, Yes! I guess this is what you could call an organic segue...
Sorry, I'll get my coat, yet again. 
Posted 2 years ago by Egctheow    [ Reply ]
 nate917 wrote:

Bill does the best segues.  It's fun to look for the common thread; sometimes, it's just that the songs were in the same key.  Other times, the songs were both about fire or something.  It is his art, and it's so enjoyable.
02/17/23
Cruel Country Wilco
Sail Away Randy Newman
Many Rivers To Cross Jimmy Cliff
#1 example of the last sentence.
follow the lyrics, 10/10

Posted 2 years ago by eyke    [ Reply ]
I love you, PSD!
Posted 2 years ago by JRRClocks    [ Reply ]
So this last time, this song followed the organ piece, Tocatta and Fugue. Excellent segue!
Posted 3 years ago by thundrpants    [ Reply ]
 LaurieinTucson wrote:

little flat on the high notes

I don't recall noticing that before - I wonder if it is a fault with this recording? 

Posted 3 years ago by kbs    [ Reply ]
Such memories are attached to this song and the era!  I heard it during one of those challenging times, that involved one, of several more rivers for me to cross, and the song remained in my heart as I crossed them.  It remains one of the treasures in my treasure chest.
Posted 3 years ago by taquesi88    [ Reply ]
 LaurieinTucson wrote:

little flat on the high notes



And yet so much better than than many auto-tuned songs
Posted 4 years ago by reviep    [ Reply ]
Jimmy Cliff is a hero. This album is perfect.  
Posted 4 years ago by ExploitingChaos    [ Reply ]
God yes I like this song. My bro told me this is one of his favorite albums.

So soulful. 
Posted 5 years ago by Blasserman    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

Michael Bolton was unavailable that day, apparently he was playing dominoes in a pub.
 

This is better ,few voices can do it as well , another one is Seal
Posted 5 years ago by Pilsenaaa    [ Reply ]
This is pure glacier water
Posted 5 years ago by Pilsenaaa    [ Reply ]
Very appropriate song for today.
Posted 5 years ago by dsr6092    [ Reply ]
Jimmy Cliff. 10
Posted 5 years ago by stephen.king12101    [ Reply ]
Pretty soon there will be to many rivers to cross with climate change Dirty oil coal factory farming jail the creeps that run these shows hang em by the balls
Posted 5 years ago by stephen.king12101    [ Reply ]
Long Live                                                                                                    Radio Paradise 
8 - Most Excellent   going DOWN to 6   next time I Skip
Posted 6 years ago by Tomasni    [ Reply ]
 Steely_D wrote:

Fun how BillG recognized the loud, incisive voice of John Fogerty with "River is Waiting" and pairs it with the same sort of voice and this song. That's why RP is better than random programming.
 
Bill does the best segues.  It's fun to look for the common thread; sometimes, it's just that the songs were in the same key.  Other times, the songs were both about fire or something.  It is his art, and it's so enjoyable.
Posted 6 years ago by nate917    [ Reply ]
A classic!
Posted 7 years ago by khardog145    [ Reply ]
We don't hear enough Jimmy Cliff on RP.
Posted 7 years ago by konz    [ Reply ]
 Angry_Old_Man wrote:
Good soulful stuff
 
It sure is sir!


Posted 7 years ago by boltonblue242    [ Reply ]
Good soulful stuff
 
Posted 8 years ago by Angry_Old_Man    [ Reply ]
 LaurieinTucson wrote:
little flat on the high notes

 
Michael Bolton was unavailable that day, apparently he was playing dominoes in a pub.
Posted 8 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
Works real well when you see the movie,The Harder They Come.
Posted 8 years ago by GDMActor    [ Reply ]
little flat on the high notes
Posted 8 years ago by LaurieinTucson    [ Reply ]
More like oceans
Posted 8 years ago by tiler    [ Reply ]
 Alexandra wrote:

Today, this hits home—with one small change to the lyrics:

 

And this loneliness won't leave me alone
It's such a drag to be on your own
My kitty left me, she unexpectedly died
Well, I guess I'll have to cry



 
There is no loneliness I am just alone
It is great  when one is on ones own
I kicked my husband out with all my might
Now I am free and and the remote is mine {#Bananajam}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Bananapiano}{#Bananajumprope}{#Bananasplit} 
Posted 9 years ago by VH1    [ Reply ]
 Alexandra wrote:

Today, this hits home—with one small change to the lyrics:

 

And this loneliness won't leave me alone
It's such a drag to be on your own
My kitty left me, she unexpectedly died
Well, I guess I'll have to cry



 
hugs from a listener {#Sunny}
Posted 9 years ago by willmcnaught    [ Reply ]

Today, this hits home—with one small change to the lyrics:

 

And this loneliness won't leave me alone
It's such a drag to be on your own
My kitty left me, she unexpectedly died
Well, I guess I'll have to cry


Posted 9 years ago by Alexandra    [ Reply ]
 colt4x5 wrote:

From Wikipedia: 
"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, 
Percy Sledge, 
Desmond Dekker, 
UB40, 
Cher, 
Eric Burdon & The Animals, 
Marcia Hines, 
Toni Childs, 
Oleta Adams, 
Linda Rondstadt 
and Annie Lennox.

So yeah, cover. 

 
I love this fabulous song.......I haven't heard all these covers but how could any of them be bad.  I loved Rondstadt's—-that simple, great voice.  
Posted 9 years ago by dsd    [ Reply ]
 colt4x5 wrote:
Church organ, heavenly voice. 
 

 
I don't know what it is exactly, but his voice on this song just grates on me so much I have to mute it. He is really stretching for those high notes and not quite getting there and it's like he got a kazoo is his throat when he tries :^ /
Posted 9 years ago by dragon1952    [ Reply ]
 colt4x5 wrote:
Church organ, heavenly voice. 
 

 
Fun how BillG recognized the loud, incisive voice of John Fogerty with "River is Waiting" and pairs it with the same sort of voice and this song. That's why RP is better than random programming.
Posted 9 years ago by Steely_D    [ Reply ]
 Bleyfusz wrote:
And no doubt one of the worst covers.
 
From Wikipedia: 
"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, 
Percy Sledge, 
Desmond Dekker, 
UB40, 
Cher, 
Eric Burdon & The Animals, 
Marcia Hines, 
Toni Childs, 
Oleta Adams, 
Linda Rondstadt 
and Annie Lennox.

So yeah, cover. 
Posted 9 years ago by colt4x5    [ Reply ]
Church organ, heavenly voice. 
 
Posted 9 years ago by colt4x5    [ Reply ]
I have this old LP - The Harder They Come soundtrack - and it is GREAT. It's not just Jimmy Cliff - also Toots & the Maytals, The Slicker, Desmond Dekker, etc. 1972 - when I first paid attention to reggae.
Posted 9 years ago by Tana    [ Reply ]
"And this loneliness won't leave me alone"  it always reminds me of redding`s dock of the bay
Posted 9 years ago by dago    [ Reply ]
Playlist was really superb
Posted 10 years ago by DeloresMadden    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

Get over it, Pavarotti.

 
Pavarotti used Auto-tune. Pass it on.
Posted 10 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
If anyone has seen the movie Rush about the 1976 F1 Championship duel between Niki Lauda and James Hunt, there is a scene in the movie where this record is playing on the turntable in Hunt's living room.  A nice touch by director Ron Howard in an excellent movie.
Posted 11 years ago by LPCity    [ Reply ]
Ah, Bill.  Just what I was thinking while listening to Fogerty's River is Waiting.  Great minds think alike!
Posted 11 years ago by dharmabumrap    [ Reply ]


Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible ...
‎Matthew 17:21 - ‎Matthew 17:19 - ‎New International Version

Posted 11 years ago by zepher    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

Get over it, Pavarotti.
 

:-))) hahahha.. exactly!!! couldnt have said it better. hahahahha..
Posted 13 years ago by Nadita    [ Reply ]
His new track, "One More"... great stuff! He's still got it. Living legend.
Posted 13 years ago by Forest267    [ Reply ]
 gtm256 wrote:
Is he flat sometimes on the many rivers part?
 
Get over it, Pavarotti.
Posted 13 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
GREAT singers, song and inspiration....the movie is fun too.
Posted 13 years ago by bluecshells    [ Reply ]
Why did I know this song was next,,,, 
Posted 13 years ago by Kaisersosay    [ Reply ]
Such heart felt inspiration...one love
Posted 13 years ago by bluecshells    [ Reply ]
What a great song!
Posted 13 years ago by hippiechick    [ Reply ]
 nagsheadlocal wrote:
I've been working 14-hr days lately trying to bring an old farm back into production. Recently I solved one problem only to have another one present itself. Out of nowhere I said to myself: "Mountains beyond mountains." And I found myself singing this song to myself, miles from no where, deep in the woods, with a broken section of fence as my only audience.

Now I really understand why gospel is so popular. 
 
This is just awesome news, nagsheadlocal - I wish I could help somehow. What kind of work are you doing?  Maybe take your story to the journal forum, so you can just get it all out.

P.S. - This song gets a 10. How many of us have looked at our lives and seen nothing but mountains beyond mountains, and many rivers?  My uncle had a 600-acre farm in Washington - he grew potatoes, corn, and sugar-beets, and his son had a couple-hundred head of Black Angus cattle.  I got to work on that farm when I was young, and it was HARD WORK. Milking cows, feeding chickens, mucking out the pig pens and the stalls, and helping to get the irrigation system working. I only have sketchy memories of it all, but I know it wasn't easy. I LOVED it.

I wish I'd known about this Jimmy Cliff song back then - I'd probably have been singing it, too...

Good on you, for giving back to the farmers, and to us greedy consumers. You are awesome. {#Cheers}
Posted 14 years ago by Cynaera    [ Reply ]
 cc_rider wrote:
I gave this a 9? That is incorrect.
 
I am questioning my 9 as well.  Every time it comes on I stop to listen... maybe that makes a 10.  I really can't decide.
Posted 14 years ago by ch83575    [ Reply ]
I've been working 14-hr days lately trying to bring an old farm back into production. Recently I solved one problem only to have another one present itself. Out of nowhere I said to myself: "Mountains beyond mountains." And I found myself singing this song to myself, miles from no where, deep in the woods, with a broken section of fence as my only audience.

Now I really understand why gospel is so popular. 
Posted 14 years ago by nagsheadlocal    [ Reply ]
This song (and the whole album) is timeless and wonderful. It was the first album I ever fell in love with, and 24 years later I still love it just as much :)

Posted 14 years ago by jacksenechal    [ Reply ]
I gave this a 9? That is incorrect.
Posted 14 years ago by cc_rider    [ Reply ]
I came to this song through UB40's cover version from the early 80s. I retain a soft spot for the cover version, but this is a whole other level of pain and soulfulness.
Posted 14 years ago by GuiltyFeat    [ Reply ]
Excellent song from an excellent album, the soundtrack of a superb film.
Posted 15 years ago by beamends    [ Reply ]
Reggae, Gospel, and the white cliffs of Dover. Something for everyone! LOL

Oh, 10, of course.
Posted 15 years ago by lmic    [ Reply ]
This is such a classic, love it.
Posted 16 years ago by jumpskirt    [ Reply ]
Saw him singing this recently on Jools Holland live, he still sounds amazing!
Posted 16 years ago by mgkiwi    [ Reply ]
 imklammer wrote:
FWIW, Rolling Stone ranked this song #317 out of the greatest 500.
 
About 300 places too low, IMHO....


Posted 16 years ago by Zep    [ Reply ]
Great song and that album had some great stuff on it besides Jimmy's.  The CD version I have has many taht the original vinyl didn't, including The Israelites.
Posted 16 years ago by bachbeet    [ Reply ]
 blinkblink wrote:


Not a cover. Jimmy wrote it.
 

The reference, I believe, is to the cover artwork
Posted 16 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
 starfishNcoffee wrote:
You stir my Jamaican pride.
 

And I would love to stir your Jamaican coffee.
Posted 16 years ago by ThePoose    [ Reply ]
Now I understand what all the hype was about Jimmy Cliff.  An incredibly moving piece.   {#Notworthy}
Posted 16 years ago by kaybee    [ Reply ]
FWIW, Rolling Stone ranked this song #317 out of the greatest 500.
Posted 16 years ago by imklammer    [ Reply ]
Another superb song from Mr. Cliff. If you guys are interested, Ian Moore does a phenomenal cover of this song on his album Ian Moore's Got The Green Grass. Give Ian a chance, excellent singer/songwriter/guitarist.

Posted 17 years ago by TexasAggies    [ Reply ]
You stir my Jamaican pride.
Posted 17 years ago by starfishNcoffee    [ Reply ]
kazuma wrote:
Magic, mythic, timeless.
Yes sir!
Posted 17 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]
Servo, Servo, where art thou?
Posted 17 years ago by NoEnzLefttoSplit    [ Reply ]
blinkblink wrote:
Not a cover. Jimmy wrote it.
Maybe the OP was talking about the album cover?
Posted 17 years ago by jah_blessed    [ Reply ]
Bleyfusz wrote:
And no doubt one of the worst covers.
Not a cover. Jimmy wrote it.
Posted 18 years ago by blinkblink    [ Reply ]
jah_blessed wrote:
Really one of the best songs ever.
And no doubt one of the worst covers.
Posted 18 years ago by Bleyfusz    [ Reply ]
sweet tune
Posted 18 years ago by bdblinux    [ Reply ]
Great song and KICKIN' album cover!!
Posted 18 years ago by liser    [ Reply ]
jah_blessed wrote:
Really one of the best songs ever.
Agreed.
Posted 18 years ago by dionysius    [ Reply ]
Really one of the best songs ever.
Posted 19 years ago by jah_blessed    [ Reply ]
wow. this song suits my mood today. blue. Many Rivers to Cross, and I can't seem to find my way across. washed up for years. losing sucks.
Posted 19 years ago by Mugro    [ Reply ]
I first saw this film ( and heard the song) on a winter night in Santa Fe a long time ago..must have been 1975. Thanks for the memory!
Posted 19 years ago by ScottN    [ Reply ]
kazuma wrote:
Magic, mythic, timeless.
Amen. Timeless, yet timely as well. Who hasn't felt this way?
Posted 19 years ago by dionysius    [ Reply ]
I saw this movie so long ago, I can't remember the plot. But I did buy the soundtrack, first on LP, now on CD, and every song is great. This one is a 10.
Posted 19 years ago by lostintokyo    [ Reply ]
Magic, mythic, timeless.
Posted 20 years ago by kazuma    [ Reply ]
Upped this to a 10 after buying the CD and listening to this track over and over again.
Posted 20 years ago by jah_blessed    [ Reply ]
Is he flat sometimes on the many rivers part?
Posted 20 years ago by gtm256    [ Reply ]
This will be my next CD purchase! Thanks for playing.
Posted 20 years ago by jah_blessed    [ Reply ]
Oh, RP...what a sweet spot you hit with this one. Even if it didn't already hold a very special place in my heart... I was listening while Husband and I were browsing through photos of the hurricane...nearly brought me to tears... I think this is a truely beautiful song....something about the organ and pleading vocals...it is a hymn- and couldn't have been played at a more imortant time and place. Music really is an incredible force in our lives. Well done.
Posted 20 years ago by dewinter    [ Reply ]
I can almost see CNN footage of New Orleans by helicopter. The beginning of this century sure has been rough.
Posted 20 years ago by jbtidwell    [ Reply ]
Zzzzzzzzzz
Posted 21 years ago by agoston    [ Reply ]
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Posted 21 years ago by Gordon    [ Reply ]
thanks rp
Posted 21 years ago by autodafe    [ Reply ]
upinya wrote:
Are you all crazy? Lest we all forget Harry Nilsson's version on the John Lennon-produced Pussy Cats record during Lennon's lost weekend. Lennon had Nilsson do take after take until his vocal chords bled. He never told Lennon about the injury for fear Lennon would stop the sessions, so he soldiered on through. Classic story. Great take as well.
Fascinating story about Nilsson. I treasured his first album - his best - which included a label saying, "John Lennon's favorite singer...." This version, I regret, doesn't do a lot for me.
Posted 21 years ago by rulebritannia    [ Reply ]
Are you all crazy? Lest we all forget Harry Nilsson's version on the John Lennon-produced Pussy Cats record during Lennon's lost weekend. Lennon had Nilsson do take after take until his vocal chords bled. He never told Lennon about the injury for fear Lennon would stop the sessions, so he soldiered on through. Classic story. Great take as well.
Posted 21 years ago by upinya    [ Reply ]
Wonderful. This reminds me of sitting in the sun at Glastonbury festival last year with Jimmy singing his little socks off to a field full of gently snoozing hippies. Go Jimmy!!
Posted 21 years ago by darrenm    [ Reply ]
Isn't Jimmy Cliff an organist? Who's on vocals? Great singer!
Posted 21 years ago by GregX59    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by Beastman: I want this playing at my funeral
I wish you a long life. It's a good song but there are better ocasions to hear it.
Posted 22 years ago by qosforever    [ Reply ]
I want this playing at my funeral
Posted 22 years ago by Beastman    [ Reply ]
There\'s a beautiful cover of this by the Blind Boys of Alabama. Check it out!
Posted 22 years ago by shevek    [ Reply ]
I never get tired of hearing this, thanks again RP
Posted 22 years ago by brb_331    [ Reply ]
Never get tired of hearing this, thanks
Posted 22 years ago by brb_331    [ Reply ]
Maybe people nowadays have become too realistic or blasé, to enjoy or appreciate this kind of songs. When I'm in the right mood, I still love to listen to it. Just like I love listening to old Staple Singers recordings from time to time.
Posted 23 years ago by Johray63    [ Reply ]
A little too \'Gospel,\' but Jimmy\'s showin\' off the pipes I guess.
Posted 23 years ago by rmurray248    [ Reply ]
I first heard this song when Linda Rondstadt covered it. She did a really good job actually.
Posted 23 years ago by Leslie    [ Reply ]
Lily - I love reggae, but this track is just plain sappiness - not very much reggae about it. it bores me as well.
Posted 23 years ago by Platypus    [ Reply ]
Not necessarily a west coast thing .... you can never play too much reggae!!! :)
Posted 23 years ago by Lil_Chickadee    [ Reply ]