Many Rivers to Cross

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"Many Rivers to Cross"

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

"Many Rivers to Cross" is the name of a song written by Jimmy Cliff. The lyrics are a spiritual plea from the singer, calling out for guidance from above to help ease his trouble. This song is one of the few tracks in which Cliff utilizes the 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 Wonderful World, Beautiful People. It was also released as a track on the 1973 soundtrack album for the film The Harder They Come, in which Cliff starred.

Many notable artists have released versions of this track. Some include Oleta Adams, Brand New Heavies, Toni Childs, Joe Cocker, Byron Lee, Nilsson, The Walkmen, Martha Reeves, Linda Ronstadt and The Blind Boys Of Alabama. In the United Kingdom, two remakes became chart hits. A 1983 version by UB40 peaked at number sixteen on the UK Singles Chart. In 1993, Cher had a top forty hit with her version.