He became popular during the 1960s. His most famous songs include Sammy, Zing-Vecht-Huil-Bid-Lach-Werk En Bewonder (Sing, fight, cry, pray, laugh, work and admire), We zullen doorgaan (We shall go on), Pastorale and Laat me (Leave me be). He frequently collaborated with Dutch singer Liesbeth List.
Shaffy was born in Paris, in the suburb Neuilly-sur-Seine. His father was an Egyptian diplomat, his mother was a Polish duchess from Russian descent. He grew up with her in Cannes. When she was infected with tuberculosis, Shaffy was sent to an aunt in Utrecht. Eventually, he ended up in a foster family in Leiden.
He did not finish high school, but he was accepted at the Amsterdam school of theatre arts in 1952. In 1955, he made his debut with the Nederlandse Comedie (Dutch Comedy). Together with his life partner Joop Admiraal he went to Rome in 1960, hoping to find a job as a film actor. They eventually returned without success. In 1964, Shaffy founded the theatre group Shaffy Chantant, which led to his first collaborations with Liesbeth List. He also worked with together with Dutch pianist Louis van Dijk. Others, including Thijs van Leer, were members of the group for short periods of time. Together with Liesbeth List, he recorded the classic song Pastorale.
His hit Wij zullen doorgaan was parodied by comedian André van Duin in 1975.
In the 1980s, Shaffy returned to the stage and the set as an actor. He successfully played Don Quixote in the musical De man van La Mancha (The man from La Mancha) in 1993. Pieter Fleury made a documentary about Shaffy in 2002, titled Ramses. It won a Gouden Kalf (Golden Calve), the most prestigious Dutch film award. In the film, Shaffy's life as a somewhat confused, shaky old man in a rest home in Amsterdam is shown. He ended up there after being beaten up at night by thugs. Many years of extensive alcohol use are the main cause of his current condition. Some say he suffers from Korsakoff's syndrome, but his doctors have never diagnosed him with it.
In the years following the film, Shaffy's condition improved slightly. His memory had become better and he sometimes made public appearances again. In the fall of 2005 he even re-recorded his 1978 hit song Laat me, together with Liesbeth List and the band Alderliefste. It became a small hit.
Shaffy died of esophageal cancer on Tuesday the 1st of december 2009.
Sammy
Ramses Shaffy Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Denk je dat ze je niet mogen
Waarom loop je zo gebogen Sammy met je ogen Sammy op de vlucht
Hoog Sammy, kijk omhoog Sammy want daar is de blauwe lucht
Sammy loop niet zo verlegen
Zo verlegen door de regen
Waarom loop je zo verlegen Sammy door de stegen Sammy van de stad
Sammy, kromme kromme Sammy
Dag Sammy, domme domme Sammy
Kijkt niet om zich heen
Doet alles alleen
En vindt de wereld heel gemeen
Sammy wil bij niemand horen
Zich door niets laten verstoren
Toch voelt hij zich soms verloren Sammy hoge toren Sammy kan 't niet aan
Hoog Sammy, kijk omhoog Sammy, want daarboven lacht de maan
Sammy wil met niemand praten
Maar toch voelt hij zich verlaten
Waarom voel je je verlaten Sammy op de straten Sammy van de stad
Hoog Sammy, kijk omhoog Sammy, want dan wor-je lekker nat
Sammy, kromme kromme Sammy
Dag Sammy, domme domme Sammy
Kijkt niet om zich heen
Doet alles alleen
En vindt de wereld heel gemeen
Sammy wil heus wel verand'ren
Maar is zo bang voor de and'ren
Waarom zou je niet verand'ren Sammy want d nand'ren Sammy zijn nu kwaad
Hoog Sammy, kijk omhoog Sammy, anders is het vast te laat
Sammy loopt maar door de nachten
Op een wondertje te wachten
Wie zou dit voor jou verzachten Sammy want jou nachten Sammy zijn zo koud
Hoog Sammy, kijk omhoog Sammy, er is één die van je houdt
The song "Sammy" by Ramses Shaffy depicts the character of Sammy, who is felt by others to be too shy, too awkward and too distant. The opening of the song asks Sammy why he walks with his head down, assuming that others don't like him. He is urged to look up and see the blue skies above, implying that he shouldn't let his assumed insecurities bring him down. The chorus of the song repeats the name "Sammy," emphasizing his name and his character, and includes the lines "Dag Sammy, domme domme Sammy" which could be interpreted to mean "Goodbye Sammy, silly silly Sammy." Sammy is seen as not looking around him and finding the world to be cruel.
Additionally, Sammy is described as someone who wants to be alone and doesn't feel a sense of belonging. Even though he wants to change, he is scared of the reaction of others. The lyrics suggest that he is waiting for a miracle to change his situation, but he is reminded that there is someone out there who loves him. The song ends with the reassurance to Sammy that there is someone who cares for him, and with the notice to look up at the sky once more.
Line by Line Meaning
Sammy loop niet zo gebogen
Don't walk with your head down, Sammy. Do you think they don't like you? Why are you walking like that, Sammy with your eyes down. Sammy is trying to escape. Look up high, Sammy, because that's where the blue sky is.
Sammy loop niet zo verlegen
Don't walk so shy, Sammy, especially in the rain. Why do you walk so shy, Sammy through the alleys of the city? Look up high, Sammy, because that's how you get soaked.
Sammy, kromme kromme Sammy
Sammy, you always look so bent over. Goodbye Sammy, dumb Sammy. You don't look around yourself and do everything alone. You think the world is very cruel.
Sammy wil bij niemand horen
Sammy doesn't want to belong to anyone and wants to remain undisturbed. Yet, sometimes he feels lost. Sammy towers up, but he can't handle it. Look up high, Sammy because that's where the moon is laughing.
Sammy wil met niemand praten
Sammy doesn't want to talk to anyone, but still feels abandoned. Why do you feel abandoned, Sammy on the streets of the city? Look up high, Sammy, because that's how you get soaked.
Sammy wil heus wel verand'ren
Sammy wants to change, but is so afraid of others. Why not change, Sammy, because the others are angry now? Look up high, Sammy, otherwise it might be too late.
Sammy loopt maar door de nachten
Sammy walks through the nights, waiting for a miracle. Who would soothe this for you, Sammy because your nights are so cold. Look up high, Sammy, because there is someone who loves you.
Contributed by David J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Tako Schotanus
eschica Was het je opgevallen dat er een stukje mist uit de lyrics?
In het stuk over de hoge toren:
...
Hoge toren, Sammy kan 't niet aan
Hoog Sammy, kijk omhoog Sammy
<<
Want daarboven lacht de maan
Sammy wil met niemand praten
Maar toch voelt hij zich verlaten
Waarom voel je je verlaten Sammy
Op de straten Sammy van de stad
Hoog Sammy, kijk omhoog Sammy
>>
Want dan word je lekker nat, Sammy
...
Mist het deel wat ik tussen << en >> heb geplaatst. Misschien kun je dat toevoegen?
Claire von Liebenfeld
What a genious!!!! Zo prachtig dat er bijna geen woorden voor zijn!! Wat een heerlijk, geniaal nummer! Fleurt me altijd helemaal op!!!
Sam-Sam
Ik heet sammy
dearmalika
Love this song! RIP great Ramses Shaffy!
Waitforevolution
Rust in vrede Ramses.. bedankt voor wie je was!
dana hartog
Wauw ' oud doch tijdloos! Diep respect een nummer om nooit te vergeten
Annemie Hellings
Dank je voor je muziek en voor wie je was ... Rust in vrede lieve man!
Sven Baank
Een goeie vent met goeie muziek :) Veel succes waar hij nu dan ook maar mag zijn.
Lucas
Hoog Sammy kijk omhoog.. Ramses, je zal ons altijd blijven toelachen. Wanneer ik je liedje hoor voel ik me ongelofelijk blij. Toen je 75 werd, heb je mijn hart gestolen. Rust verder lieveman
nelly van nieuwenhuijzen
Ramses, jij leeft voort in onze zielen, we houden van je !!!
stijn gerritzen
RIP!! RAMSES SHAFFY OUR HERO!!!!!