MANY RIVERS TO CROSS - JIMMY CLIFF

1.- Historia

James Chambers (Jimmy Cliff) nació el 30-07-1944 en Jamaica. Inició su carrera musical en los 60s. Pero su fama llegaría en 1972 con la película "The Harder They Come". En la banda sonora de este film se encuentra este tema. Desde entonces, ha sido versionada por artistas como Cher o UB40. Cliff, describe su frustración al ver desaparecer sus esperanzas en sus primeros años y viajes desde Jamaica hacia Europa.

2.- Lyrics

(Chorus)

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 try

Many rivers to cross

But just where to begin, I'm playing for time

There are times I find myself

Thinking of committing some dreadful crime

Yes, I've got 

(Repeat Chorus)

Yes, I've got

(Repeat Chorus)

3.- Vocabulary

- Cross = Cruzar

- Seem = Parecer

- Find = Encontrar

- Wandering = Preguntándome

- Lost = Perdido/a

- Cliffs = Acantilados, precipicios

- Will = Voluntad, deseo

- Keep = Mantener

- Alive = Con vida

- Licked = Lick = Apalizar, dar una paliza

- Wash up = Llevar a alguien (a tierra)

- Merely = Simplemente

- Survive = Sobrevivir

- Pride = Orgullo

- Loneliness = Soledad

- Alone = Solo/a

- Drag = Aburrido

- Left = Leave = Dejar, abandonar

- Guess = Imaginar, adivinar

- Try = Probar, intentar

- Dreadful = Terrible, espantoso

4.- Gramática

a) Simple Present

Ejemplo:

- It's only my will that keeps me alive.

b) Present Perfect Tense

Ejemplo:

- I've been licked.

c) Future Will

Ejemplo:

- And this loneliness won't leave me alone.

d) Simple Past

Ejemplo:

- My woman left me and she didn't say why.

e) Present Continuous Tense

Ejemplo:

- I'm playing for time.

5.- Videoclip