Benefits of Jimmy Cliff's Songs
23 December 2025 By Abiodun Kareem Giwa
The legendary Jimmy Cliff
"Have you heard the news?" Jimmy Cliff of blessed memory sang in one of his memorable songs. He is no longer with us, but his contribution to humanity's advancement resonates with the echo of his impact on the struggle of many people around the world who have only their hands and brains as a reliance for success. You don't have to be born with the proverbial golden spoon to achieve life's objective with Cliff as a mentor. 'Many Rivers to Cross' is one of his many numbers that echoes the mentoring power. The reference to rivers was a metaphor. It actually refers to the difficulties and hurdles that must be overcome to achieve success.
It was a strengthening tonic or vitamins when you lived in backward countries where governance did not impact anyone in the early seventies. It helps in boosting the will to remain alive when all hope has been lost. "I have been washed up for years and barely survive because of my pride."
It reminds me of a time when I was a young man and needed to put pride aside to do what was necessary to move forward. There was no dirty job. Many guys were kept back because they sought white-collar jobs. They were proud of being high school graduates who looked forward to the clean office work. It is still happening today. Many college graduates are sidelined due to their inability to set aside pride and embrace a less glamorous job. Kudos to those who are adapting.
Cliff was more than a musician or artist. He was a prophet. I say this for the next song that I will always play as long as I live. "I have got a hard road to travel and a rough, rough way to go; I cannot turn back, because my heart is fixed and my mind is made up, I never stop, my faith will see me through." He emphasizes that he was all alone and had no one to look up to. He had no love to call his own, and the river gets deeper. Recall the use of the word 'river' earlier in 'Many Rivers to Cross'. Against the backdrop of life's endless troubles, his faith is strengthened. He sidestepped the problems and fears, rekindled hope and destiny, while embarking on life's journey.
"Struggling man has got to move; struggling man has no time to lose. I am a struggling man. And I got to move on." Aren't we all here in a struggle for survival and to live? Aren't we planning for tomorrow as we live today? Is there anyone sitting idle and expecting success? What ends such a life that does not understand its struggle begins at birth?
You may be the child of a millionaire or billionaire. Still, you cannot evade the growth processes. You have to go to school for learning towards life's objectives and to overcome obstacles. If it were possible for a newborn to listen and appreciate songs, some of Cliff's songs ought to be essential at a naming ceremony.
"Every man has the right to live. Love is fun and true to give, together we struggle by a will to survive, and fight to stay alive." Some people were born poor, and they struggled and overcame poverty. Some were born in affluence and became inadequate, while others born in poverty became poorer. What determines anyone's place in life is the determination to struggle for survival and not the child of who we are. "You can get it if you really want, but you must try, try, and try; you succeed at last." You have to expect persecution in unexpected places looking for favor. Cliff's advice is to bear them. He sings that Rome was not built in a day - a common cliche, and that the more complex the battle you see, the sweeter the victory. In 'Time Will Tell,' he asked his father at the age of six about his future.
The father's answer to his question is today's topic: the life of a man, an intricate web of struggle for survival, eschewing pride, learning to fight the good fight, relying on one's brain and hands, being strong, and never giving up, and believing there must be calm after a storm. The storm is not limited to impoverished or underdeveloped areas, nor is it confined to the wealthy and the have-nots. Haven't you read books about the rich also cry?
Struggling people are everywhere. Cliff's songs must have undoubtedly been influential to people everywhere. You will understand, if you are from a backwater country, live in an advanced nation, and see many people depend on food pantries and shelters amid life's misfortune.
It was a strengthening tonic or vitamins when you lived in backward countries where governance did not impact anyone in the early seventies. It helps in boosting the will to remain alive when all hope has been lost. "I have been washed up for years and barely survive because of my pride."
It reminds me of a time when I was a young man and needed to put pride aside to do what was necessary to move forward. There was no dirty job. Many guys were kept back because they sought white-collar jobs. They were proud of being high school graduates who looked forward to the clean office work. It is still happening today. Many college graduates are sidelined due to their inability to set aside pride and embrace a less glamorous job. Kudos to those who are adapting.
Cliff was more than a musician or artist. He was a prophet. I say this for the next song that I will always play as long as I live. "I have got a hard road to travel and a rough, rough way to go; I cannot turn back, because my heart is fixed and my mind is made up, I never stop, my faith will see me through." He emphasizes that he was all alone and had no one to look up to. He had no love to call his own, and the river gets deeper. Recall the use of the word 'river' earlier in 'Many Rivers to Cross'. Against the backdrop of life's endless troubles, his faith is strengthened. He sidestepped the problems and fears, rekindled hope and destiny, while embarking on life's journey.
"Struggling man has got to move; struggling man has no time to lose. I am a struggling man. And I got to move on." Aren't we all here in a struggle for survival and to live? Aren't we planning for tomorrow as we live today? Is there anyone sitting idle and expecting success? What ends such a life that does not understand its struggle begins at birth?
You may be the child of a millionaire or billionaire. Still, you cannot evade the growth processes. You have to go to school for learning towards life's objectives and to overcome obstacles. If it were possible for a newborn to listen and appreciate songs, some of Cliff's songs ought to be essential at a naming ceremony.
"Every man has the right to live. Love is fun and true to give, together we struggle by a will to survive, and fight to stay alive." Some people were born poor, and they struggled and overcame poverty. Some were born in affluence and became inadequate, while others born in poverty became poorer. What determines anyone's place in life is the determination to struggle for survival and not the child of who we are. "You can get it if you really want, but you must try, try, and try; you succeed at last." You have to expect persecution in unexpected places looking for favor. Cliff's advice is to bear them. He sings that Rome was not built in a day - a common cliche, and that the more complex the battle you see, the sweeter the victory. In 'Time Will Tell,' he asked his father at the age of six about his future.
The father's answer to his question is today's topic: the life of a man, an intricate web of struggle for survival, eschewing pride, learning to fight the good fight, relying on one's brain and hands, being strong, and never giving up, and believing there must be calm after a storm. The storm is not limited to impoverished or underdeveloped areas, nor is it confined to the wealthy and the have-nots. Haven't you read books about the rich also cry?
Struggling people are everywhere. Cliff's songs must have undoubtedly been influential to people everywhere. You will understand, if you are from a backwater country, live in an advanced nation, and see many people depend on food pantries and shelters amid life's misfortune.
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