Jimmy Cliff

I kind of chose to go positive — and that stayed with me through my life — always have to have a positive outlook on whatever situation there is — and so it comes out in my music.

James Chambers (30 July 1944 – 24 November 2025), known professionally as Jimmy Cliff, was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady, reggae and soul musician.

Quotes

Many rivers to cross
But I can't seem to find my way over

Wonderful world, beautiful people
You and your girl, things could be pretty
But underneath this there is a secret
That nobody can reveal

• It's always good to revisit the past — to know where we are today.
  • Jimmy Cliff : Tiny Desk Concert, NPR (12 July 2010)

• I grew up in a condition where I could have chosen to go either way — negatively or postively — and so I kind of chose to go positive — and that stayed with me through my life — always have to have a positive outlook on whatever situation there is — and so it comes out in my music.
  • Interview and performance video: "Jimmy Cliff: 'I always have a positive outlook'",The Guardian (27 July 2012)

• Our concept of when someone cross over — we don't say they "pass away", we say "cross over", they just go to the other side of existence, there's no such thing as death — and then they go out there and they vibrate for however many days before they go to a higher height. But Toots, the way Toots lived his life, I'm sure his soul got to move on. The soul can reincarnate from 24 to 24,000 times, it depends how you lived your life. But with Toots, I can't see Toots coming back to this planet. He's evolved. He's completed his task that he has to do on this planet.
  His spirit will always be resonating with us … His soul will always be resonating with us and the people who loved his music.
  • Eulogizing Toots Hibbert, in "Jimmy Cliff Remembers Toots Hibbert: 'What a Soul, What a Personality'" by Daniel Kreps,Rolling Stone (12 September 2020); also in "Jimmy Cliff, 'The Harder They Come' Reggae Giant, Dead at 81" by Daniel Kreps Rolling Stone (24 November 2025)

Many Rivers to Cross (1969)

Live performance (1976) · Live on Jools Holland (8 May 2008) · Live performance on KCRW (28 June 2012)

• 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 have to cry

Wonderful World, Beautiful People (1969)

Performance at Midem 1970

Take a look at the world
And the state that it's in today
I am sure you'll agree
We all could make it a better way
With our love put together
Everybody learn to love each other

Got your mind set on a dream
You can get it, though harder they seem now
You can get it if you really want

• Wonderful world, beautiful people
  You and your girl, things could be pretty
  But underneath this there is a secret
  That nobody can reveal

• Take a look at the world
  And the state that it's in today
  I am sure you'll agree
  We all could make it a better way
  With our love put together
  Everybody learn to love each other
  Instead of fussing and fighting
  Cheating but biting
  Scandalizing and hating

• Man and woman, girl and boy
  Let us try to give a helping hand
  This I know and I'm sure
  That with love we all could understand
  This is our world, can't you see
  Everybody wants to live and be free

You Can Get It If You Really Want (1970)

Live on Later with Jools Holland (2012)

• You can get it if you really want
  But you must try, try and try
  Try and try, you'll succeed at last
  Look here
  Persecution you must bear
  Win or lose you've got to get your share
  Got your mind set on a dream
  You can get it, though harder they seem now
  You can get it if you really want

External links

• Official website
• Jimmy Cliff on IMDb