“Many Rivers to Cross”

Jimmy Cliff

Simile and/or Metaphor

• Simile and/or Metaphor Example

“Many rivers to crossBut I can't seem to find my way over”

• The meaning of this Metaphor is:This person has so much trouble he can’t see how things will get better

Simile and/or Metaphor Part 2

• Simile and/or Metaphor Example

“I've been licked, washed up for years andI merely survive because of my pride.”

•The meaning of this Metaphor is:He has been shaken around like something washed around in a storm

Other Descriptive/Figurative Language

• Play on Words, Personification, Hyperbole, Strong Images

“This loneliness won’t leave me alone.”• It’s an example of personification• This is effective for me because I can imagine the loneliness like it is a person following the singer

Playing with SoundsRhymes and Near Rhyme• Rhyme Example“And this loneliness won't leave me aloneIt's such a drag to be on your own….”“I'm playing for timeThere'll be times I find myself thinkingOf committing some dreadful crime.”

• Near Rhyme Example“There'll be times I find myself thinking”

Playing with Sounds Alliteration and Assonance• Alliteration Example:“And this loneliness won't leave me alone”

• Assonance Example:• “This loneliness won’t leave me alone.”

“I merely survive because of my pride”• Effect in the song:The first assonance +alliteration make it seem like the singer is moaning in pain.

Point of View•Which Type?

First person(I)•“Many rivers to cross But I can’t seem to find my way over”

Audience• I feel like he is singing to himself, people in general or maybe to God.

• “I can’t seem to find my way over”• “There'll be times I find myself thinkingOf committing some dreadful crime.”

What Is the Story/Message/ Main Idea of the Song?

• This character doesn’t know how to solve his problems and feels desperate.“Many rivers to cross/ but just where to begin/I'm playing for time”

Music/Instruments• Instruments used are: organ, drums, electric guitar• Tempo/Speed is: slow• Types of Voices used are a male voice backed by female chorus• The music adds to the mood/story of the song. The slow organ and the high voices gives it kind of a soulful churchy feel, kind of like he is asking God for help

What Is the Mood/Feeling of the Song• The mood/feeling of the Song is sad.• “Many rivers to crossBut I can't seem to find my way over…

And this loneliness won't leave me aloneIt's such a drag to be on your own”

Why I Chose This Song

• I chose this song because it’s one of those sad songs that somehow makes you happier when you sing along to it really loudly.

Other Information/If You like this Song…

• “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley• “No Woman No Cry” by Bob Marley• “I Can See Clearly Now” by Johnny

Nash

Credits

•White Cliffs of Dover, VeRoNIK on Flickr• River, SR Ardo on Flickr•Microsoft Clip Art