Delloreese Patricia Early was born on July 6, 1931 in Detroit, Michigan US… Read Full Bio ↴Delloreese Patricia Early was born on July 6, 1931 in Detroit, Michigan USA, and died on November 19, 2017 in California.

An actress, singer, talk show host, and author, the multi-talented Reese first started singing in church in her hometown of Detroit when she was six years old. By the age of 13, she was touring with gospel great Mahalia Jackson; then, at 18, she formed the Meditation Singers and became the first performer to bring gospel music to the casinos of Las Vegas. Reese expanded her musical repertoire as a vocalist with the Erskine Hawkins Orchestra and began recording albums, with such hits as "Don't You Know" and "And That Reminds Me" in the 1950s. She appeared extensively as a guest on the top television variety series, logging more than 20 appearances in one year on The Ed Sullivan Show on the CBS Television Network. Reese was nominated for a Grammy Award as Best Female Soloist in Gospel Music in 1987.

Tapping into her other skills, she was host of a television talk show in 1969-1970, then began guest-starring in such series as Sanford and Son, The A-Team, Crazy Like a Fox and Picket Fences. She starred in the CBS Network series Charlie & Co. and The Royal Family. Reese's current projects include a new album based on her 27-city tour with her revue, "Some of My Best Friends Are the Blues," as well as song on the Touched By An Angel Soundtrack. Her best-selling autobiography, "Angels Along the Way," is published by G.P. Putnam's Sons. Reese also starred in the telefilms Emma's Wish, with Joanna Kerns, and The Secret Path, with Ossie Davis.

Thou Swell
Della Reese Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Thou swell, thou witty
Thou sweet, thou grand
Wouldst kiss me pretty
Wouldst hold my hand

Both thine eyes are cute too
What they do to me?
Hear me holler I choose

A sweet lollapaloosa in thee

I'd feel so rich
In a hut for two
Two rooms and kitchen
I'm sure would do

Give me just a plot of
Not a lot of land
And thou swell, thou witty
Thou grand

Thou swell, thou witty
Thou sweet, thou grand
Wouldst kiss me pretty
Wouldst hold my hand

Both thine eyes are cute too
What they do to me?
Hear me holler I choose
A sweet lollapaloosa in thee

I'd feel so rich
In a hut for two
Two rooms and kitchen
I'm sure would do

Give me just a plot of
Not a lot of land

And thou swell, thou witty
Thou grand

Overall Meaning

Della Reese's song "Thou Swell" is an uplifting and lighthearted tune about love and companionship. The lyrics express a desire for a partner who is both charming and witty, but also sweet and grand. The singer longs for physical affection, asking for kisses and hand-holding. She is enchanted by her partner's cute eyes and declares that she would be happy with just a simple home, as long as she has her beloved by her side.

Line by Line Meaning

Thou swell, thou witty
You are charming and clever

Thou sweet, thou grand
You are lovely and magnificent

Wouldst kiss me pretty
Would you give me a gentle kiss?

Wouldst hold my hand
Can you hold my hand?

Both thine eyes are cute too
Your eyes are also adorable

What they do to me?
What emotions do they stir within me?

Hear me holler I choose
Hear me shout that I want

A sweet lollapaloosa in thee
A joyful and exciting union with you

I'd feel so rich
I would feel wealthy

In a hut for two
Even in a simple dwelling for two people

Two rooms and kitchen
Just two rooms and a kitchen