Many rivers to cross
But I just can't seem to find
My way over
Wandering, I am lost
As I travel along
The white cliffs of Dover
But I just 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
Well, I've been licked, washed up for years
And I merely survived because of my pride
And it's only my will
That keeps me alive
Well, I've been licked, washed up for years
And I merely survived 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 have to try
It's such a drag to be on your own
My woman left me and she didn't say why
Well, I guess I have to try
Sweet thing
Sweet thing
Sweet thing
And this loneliness just won't leave me alone
You know it's such a drag to be on your own
My woman left me but she didn't say why
So I guess I have to try, try
You know it's such a drag to be on your own
My woman left me but she didn't say why
So I guess I have to try, try
Many (many), many (many) rivers to cross (many rivers to cross)
But just where to begin?
I am playing for time
There have been times I found myself sitting in limbo
Alone, alone, for my lifetime
But just where to begin?
I am playing for time
There have been times I found myself sitting in limbo
Alone, alone, for my lifetime
Many rivers to cross
But I just can't seem to find
My way over
Wandering, I am lost as I travel along
The white cliffs of Dover, yeah
I got too many rivers to cross
But I just can't seem to find
My way over
Wandering, I am lost as I travel along
The white cliffs of Dover, yeah
I got too many rivers to cross
song info:
Verified yes
LanguageEnglish
GenreRock & Roll
Rank−
Duration00:05:01
Charts
Copyright ©Universal Music Publishing Group
WriterJames Chambers
Lyrics licensed byLyricFind
AddedDecember 3rd, 2013
Last updatedMarch 5th, 2022
About"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.
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."
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.
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."
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.
Album Details
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