Many Rivers to Cross

"Many Rivers to Cross"
Single by Jimmy Cliff
from the album Jimmy Cliff and The Harder They Come
Released	1969
Genre	Reggae, gospel
Length	2:44
Label	Trojan Records
Writer(s)	Jimmy Cliff
Jimmy Cliff singles chronology
"Waterfall" (1969) "Many Rivers to Cross" (1969) "Wonderful World, Beautiful People" (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.

Song information

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,^[1] in addition to the TV shows Wilfred , Daredevil and Falling Skies.

Charts

Charts (1993)	Peak position
France (SNEP)[2]	37

UB40 version

"Many Rivers to Cross"
Single by UB40
from the album Labour of Love
B-side	"Food for Thought'"
Format	7", 12"
Genre	Reggae fusion
Length	4:31
Label	DEP International (UK)
Producer(s)	UB40, Ray "Pablo" Falconer
UB40 singles chronology
"Please Don't Make Me Cry" (1983) "'Many Rivers to Cross'" (1983) "Cherry Oh Baby" (1984)

"'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.

Track listing and formats

• UK 7" single^[3]

1. "Many Rivers To Cross" – 3:48
2. "Food For Thought " – 4:40

• 7" single (Spain)^[4]

1. "Many Rivers To Cross" – 3:48
2. "Food For Thought " – 4:40

• UK 12" maxi-single^[5]

1. A1."Many Rivers To Cross" (Full Length Version) – 4:35
2. A2."Food For Thought " – 4:40
3. B2."Johnny Too Bad" (Unexpurgated Version - Not On Labour Of Love) – 5:28

• Germany 12" single^[6]

1. A1."Many Rivers To Cross" (Full Length Version) – 4:27
2. A2."Food For Thought " – 4:39
3. B2."Johnny Too Bad" – 5:29

Charts

Chart (1983)	Peak position
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[7]	48
UK Singles Chart[8]	16

Cher version

"Many Rivers to Cross"
Single by Cher
from the album Greatest Hits: 1965–1992
Released	January 1993
Recorded	1992
Genre	Soft rock
Length	4:10
Label	Geffen
Writer(s)	Jimmy Cliff
Producer(s)	Cher
Cher singles chronology
"Whenever You're Near" (1992) "Many Rivers to Cross" (1993) "I Got You Babe" (1994) Audio sample file info · help

Charts

Chart (1993)	Peak position
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[9]	37

Annie Lennox version

Charts

Chart (2008)	Peak position
Canadian Singles Chart[10]	47
U.S. Billboard Hot 100[11]	80

References

1. "Rush (2013)". Soundtrack.net. Retrieved 22 September 2013.
2. "Lescharts.com – Jimmy Cliff – Many Rivers To Cross" (in French). Les classement single.
3. Many Rivers to Cross (UK 7-inch Single liner notes). UB40. Virgin Records. 1984. 9.
4. Many Rivers to Cross (7-inch Single liner notes). UB40. Virgin Records. 1984. 106016.
5. Many Rivers to Cross (UK 12-inch Maxi Single liner notes). UB40. Virgin Records. 1984. 9-12.
6. Many Rivers To Cross (European 12-inch Limited Single liner notes). UB40. Virgin Records. 1983. 601 078.
7. "Charts.org.nz – UB40 – Many Rivers to Cross". Top 40 Singles.
8. "UB40 - Many Rivers To Cross". ChartStats.com. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
9. "Cher: Artist Chart History" Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
10. "Annie Lennox - Many Rivers To Cross". αCharts.us. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
11. "Leona Lewis Returns To No. 1 On The Hot 100". Billboard.com. Retrieved 15 October 2011.

External links

• Official Cher site
• Cher at the Internet Movie Database
• Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics