It has since been recorded by many musicians, most successfully by UB40, Cher and Annie Lennox and it was sung in the Caribbean by Alison Hinds and Tessanne Chin.

"[2] Cliff stated he was working on his second album for Island Records, but held the song back because he did not think a ballad would be appropriate.

On the last day of the session, as the union backing musicians were preparing to leave, Cliff asked if he could play a song idea he had.

And then Chris [Blackwell] said, ‘OK, let's put this one in to fill out the album.’" This is one of the few Cliff tracks to use an organ, which helps to supplement the gospel feel provided by the backing vocalists.

[1] The 1998 Sri Lankan song Nadee Ganga Tharanaye sung by Chitral Somapala is based on, and takes its melody from, Many Rivers to Cross.