Jimmy Cliff

thumb|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 thumb| Many rivers to cross But I can't seem to find my way over thumb| 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 thumb|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 thumb|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 lastLook 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 nowYou can get it if you really want External links Official website 0166580 Category:1944 births Category:2025 deaths Category:Reggae singers Category:Singer-songwriters Category:Musicians from Jamaica Category:Reggae Category:Ska