Many Rivers to Cross

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"Many Rivers to Cross" is a song written by Jimmy Cliff.

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 starred. Rolling Stone ranked it #317 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

[edit] Cover versions

Many artists have released versions of the song; two covers (by UB40 and Cher) became hits on the UK singles chart. Here is a partial listing of notable cover performers, including the year of release:

• Stanley Turrentine, 1974
• Harry Nilsson, 1974
• Martha Reeves, 1974
• Lorraine Ellison, 1974
• Linda Ronstadt, 1975
• Chelsea, 1977
• The Walker Brothers, 1977
• Desmond Dekker, 1980
• Joe Cocker, 1982
• Marcia Hines, 1982
• UB40, 1983
• Elvis Costello, 1988
• Toni Childs, 1989
• Zucchero, 1991
• Cher, 1993
• Oleta Adams, 1994
• Jocelyn Brown, 1995
• Larry Goldings, 1996
• Tom Tom Club, 1996
• Vika and Linda, 1996
• Ken Boothe, 1997
• Byron Lee, 1997
• Mary Ann Redmond, 1997
• Bill Withers, 1998
• Ian Moore, 1999
• Heather Nova, 1999
• Jim Weider, 2000
• Margaret Singana, 2001
• Chitral Somapala, 2001
• The Blind Boys Of Alabama, 2002
• Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, 2002
• Ernest Ranglin, 2002
• Lenny Kravitz, 2002
• Kwamé, 2003
• Jimmy Barnes, 2004
• The Brand New Heavies, 2004
• Soweto Gospel Choir, 2004
• Deacon John Moore, 2005
• Barb Jungr, 2006
• The Walkmen, 2006
• Lightspeed Champion, 2007
• Annie Lennox, 2008

[edit] Charts

UB 40 version:

Chart (1983)	Peak position
UK Singles Chart	16

Cher version:

Chart (1993)	Peak position
UK Singles Chart	37

Annie Lennox version:

Chart (2008)	Peak position
Canadian Hot 100	47
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	80[1]

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[edit] References

1. ^ Leona Lewis Returns To No. 1 On The Hot 100