Dear Editor,

The reason Jimmy Cliff’s musical journey has cast such a huge shadow across the reggae landscape, both locally and intentionally, is because of his classical uniqueness.

Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, and other reggae revolutionaries have cemented their fame as protesters against injustice or against “Babylon system”. Jimmy Cliff’s productions, however, seem to reflect a more personal or internal wrestling with injustices that appear more loosely connected to external causes. For instance, “Sitting here in limbo, but I know it won’t be long. Sitting here in limbo, like a bird without a song…They are putting up resistance, but my faith will lead me on.”

Anyone listening to this song will see that it is not just a systemic hurdle he’s presenting, but also a personal ‘abeyance’ that many can readily identity with.”Waiting for the dice to roll… and the tide to flow” are all classical descriptions of how all races of people and generations sometimes feel throughout the centuries. Many can easily identify with such individual wrestling between chance and decisions.

Another classic is
Many Rivers to Cross, which again speaks of individual as well as collective encounters that one must contend with in life. Recent events that have left broken bridges of service and support as a result of the passage of Hurricane Melissa has made ‘many bridges to cross’ as relevant as it may continue to be.

“Many rivers to cross, but it’s only my will that keeps me alive” seems to be saying that when the vicissitudes of life have ripped the foundation from under your feet faith can still keep you holding on, even when you cannot find your way across. For if faith continues to lead you on, maybe you will eventually say, “I can see clearly now, the rain is gone. I can see all obstacles in my way. Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind. It’s gonna be a bright bright, bright sunshiny day.”

Homer Sylvester,

Jacksonville, Florida

h2sylvester@gmail.com