Cliff moved to Kingston in 1962. After he released two singles that failed to make much of an impression, his career took off when his "Hurricane Hattie" became a hit, while he was aged just 14; it was produced by Leslie Kong, with whom Cliff would remain until Kong's death. Later local hit singles included "King of Kings", "Dearest Beverley" and "Pride and Passion". In 1964, Cliff was chosen as one of the Jamaican representatives at the World's Fair, and Cliff soon signed to Island Records and moved to Britain. Island initially (and unsuccessfully) tried to sell Cliff to the rock audience, but his career took off in the late 1960s. His international debut album was Hard Road to Travel, which received excellent reviews and included "Waterfall", a Brazilian hit that won the International Song Festival.
"Waterfall" was followed in 1969 by "Wonderful World, Beautiful People" and "Vietnam" in 1970, both popular throughout most of the world. Folk rock singer-songwriter Bob Dylan even called "Vietnam" the best protest song he'd ever heard. Wonderful World included a cover of Cat Stevens' "Wild World", which was a success in 1970.
Leslie Kong died of a heart attack in 1971. The soundtrack to the reggae film The Harder They Come was a huge success that sold well across the world, but did not break Cliff into the mainstream. After a series of albums, Cliff took a break and traveled to Africa, exploring his newfound Muslim spirituality. He quickly returned to music, touring for several years before he recorded with Kool & the Gang for Power & the Glory (1983). (During the 1981 River Tour, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band added Cliff's little-known "Trapped" to their live set; it achieved great prominence when included on 1985's We Are the World benefit album.) The follow-up, Cliff Hanger (1985) won a Grammy Award, though it was his last major success in the U.S. until 1993. He continued to sell well in Jamaica and, to a lesser extent, the UK, returning to the mainstream pop charts in the U.S. and elsewhere with a version of Johnny Nash's "I Can See Clearly Now" on the Cool Runnings film soundtrack in 1993 .
In 2002, Cliff released his new album, Fantastic Plastic People in Europe, after first providing free downloads using Delacove's People Music Media p2p software. This album featured collaborations with Joe Strummer, Annie Lennox, and Sting as well as new songs that were very reminiscent of Cliff's original hits. In 2004 Cliff completely reworked the songs, dropping the traditional reggae in favor of an electronica sound, for inclusion in Black Magic.
Cliff has also covered the famous African song "The Lion Sleeps Tonight".
His recording of 'You Can Get It If You Really Want' was used as a campaign anthem by the Sandinista National Liberation Front in the 1990 election in Nicaragua (they lost). It was also adopted by the British Conservative Party during their annual conference in October, 2007. It is unclear whether Mr Cliff endorsed either party. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame March 15,2010.
River Of Babylon
Jimmy Cliff Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where he sat down,
And there he wept
When he remembered Zion
Oh, the wicked carried us away in captivity,
Required from us a song,
How can we sing King Alpha's song
So, let the words of our mouth
And the meditations of our heart
Be acceptable in Thy sight
Oh, verai!
The song "River of Babylon" by Jimmy Cliff is a powerful and moving tribute to the spiritual and emotional struggles of a people displaced from their homeland. The lyrics are drawn from a biblical reference to the Babylonian captivity of the Israelites, and Cliff uses this poignant imagery to convey the feelings of loss, longing, and hope that are common to people who have been forcibly uprooted from their homes.
The opening lines of the song take us directly to the riverbanks of Babylon, where the singer has come to sit and weep in memory of Zion, the land of his birth. The melancholy tone of the song is set right from the start, as the singer contemplates the long journey that has brought him to this foreign land. The second verse provides a backstory for the singer's situation, explaining that his people were taken captive by the wicked Babylonians and forced to sing songs in praise of the Babylonian king. This is where the heart of the song lies - in the tension between the desire to remain true to one's own culture and traditions, and the pressure to assimilate and conform to the customs of the conqueror. The final verse serves as a plea for acceptance and understanding as the singer looks to God for guidance and strength.
Line by Line Meaning
By the rivers of Babylon ,
As I stand here by the rivers of Babylon, I can't help but think of Zion and how beautiful it was compared to the miserable place where I am now.
Where he sat down,
I sit here by the rivers of Babylon, completely broken and defeated, with nowhere else to go.
And there he wept
Tears roll down my face as I mourn the loss of my homeland, Zion. A place that was beautiful, full of life, and overflowing with hope.
When he remembered Zion
As I think back on the memories of Zion, I can't help but feel a sense of longing to return. To be among my people and to see the city thriving once again.
Oh, the wicked carried us away in captivity,
Our enemies have taken us captive and brought us to this foreign land, where we are forced to live as slaves and suffer under their rule.
Required from us a song,
Our captors are demanding that we sing their songs, but how can we sing the praises of King Alpha in this strange land?
How can we sing King Alpha's song Inna strange land?
We are in a land where we don't belong, and we can't sing our praises to King Alpha because it doesn't feel right.
So, let the words of our mouth
May the words that we speak be pleasing to you, God. Despite our circumstances, may our words bring honor and glory to your name.
And the meditations of our heart
May the thoughts and meditations of our heart be pleasing to you, God. We may be in captivity, but our hearts still belong to you.
Be acceptable in Thy sight
Lord, please accept our words and our thoughts as we continue to honor you, despite our difficult circumstances.
Oh, verai!
We cry out to you, Lord, because we know that you are the only one who can truly help us in our time of need.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Brent Dowe, Frank Farian, George Reyam, Trevor McNaughton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Iwe Okeoghene Blessing
on No. 1 Rip-Off Man
Chorus
One more, one more, one more, one more
Verse
I got one more song I must sing
Ting-aline, freedom ring
I got one more song I must sing
A simple song, so sing along
Repeat chorus
I got one more story to tell
Mystery, my story
I got one more story to tell
True story, my glory
Repeat chorus
I got one more arrow in my bow
As I let it go, just watch my flow
I got one more arrow in my bow
To the target, and it's a hit
Repeat chorus
Bridge
Hey baby don't you go away
I want you to listen
What I have to say
It's not over, till it's over
I'm a natural lover
Hey mister, get out of my way
This is not no time to play
Hey mister get out of my way
I got to live for another day, All we got
Chorus
One more(life to live)
One more(love to give)
One more(cliff to climb)
One more(it's my time)
I got one more bullet in my gun
And I can't run, till the deal is done
I got one more bullet in my gun
And I won't run, till the deal is done
Repeat chorus
I got one more shot at the prize
So don't be surprised, open your eyes
I got one more shot at the goal
Straight from my soul
And I'm in control
Repeat chorus till fade
Iwe Okeoghene Blessing
on No. 1 Rip-Off Man
Rip off man
Edwin Nyirenda
on Brother
Brother - Jimmy cliff
Will you patronize me – brother
Do you recognize me – brother
Do you believe what your teacher said
Or is it the food that your preacher fed
Why you minimize me – brother
Oh brother
Joseph and his brothers – left Canaan
They saw the little brother – in Egypt
They both had the same cause and the same purpose
They come about the same hurt that they got back the most
Do you understand me – my brother
Oh brother
Brother (X4)
Let us help the fallen – sister
She will love to call you – mister
Do you see the need for unity
To bring about respect and dignity
Don’t you understand me – my brother
Brother
Will you patronize me – brother
Do you recognize me – brother
Is it the things that your teacher said
Or is it the food that your preacher fed
Why you minimize me – my brother
Oh brother
Are you my brother now hey hey yeah oh yeah hey hey
Are you my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother
Are you my brother now hey hey hey hey
Are you my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother
You don’t wanna understand me now oh brother
Oh brother
Oh brother
Are you my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother, my brother