Davis, Jr. was born in Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, New York, to Elvera Sanchez, a dancer, and Sammy Davis, Sr., an African-American entertainer. The couple were both dancers in vaudeville. As an infant, he was raised by his paternal grandmother. When he was three years old, his parents split up. His father, not wanting to lose custody of his son, took him on tour. Sammy Davis Jr. claimed that his mother was Puerto Rican, however the 2003 biography In Black and White alleges that he made this claim due to the political sensitivities of the 1960s (during the Cuban Missile Crisis), and that his mother was born in New York of Cuban descent rather than in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
As a child he learned how to dance from his father, Sammy Davis, Sr., and his "uncle" Will Mastin, who led the dance troupe his father worked for. Davis joined the act as a young child in 1928 and they became the Will Mastin Trio. Throughout his long career, Davis included the Will Mastin Trio in his billing.
Mastin and his father had shielded him from racism. Snubs were explained as jealousy. But during World War II, Davis served in the United States Army, where he was first confronted by strong racial prejudice. As he said later, "Overnight the world looked different. It wasn't one color anymore. I could see the protection I'd gotten all my life from my father and Will. I appreciated their loving hope that I'd never need to know about prejudice and hate, but they were wrong. It was as if I'd walked through a swinging door for eighteen years, a door which they had always secretly held open.
Christmas Time All Over The World
Sammy Davis Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's Christmas here at home
The church bells chime wherever we roam
Sa riktig God Jul
Feliz Natal
Shenoraavor Nor Dari
Dari
To you
The snow is thick in most of the world
Childrens' eyes are wide
As old Saint Nick gets ready to ride
So Feliz Navidad
Sretan Bozic
And Happy New Year
New Year
To you
Though the customs might change
And the language is strange
This appeal we feel is real
In Holland or Hong Kong
It's Christmas time all over the World
In places near and far
And so my friend wherever you are
Ein frohliches Weihnachten
Kala Christougenna
Yoi kurisumasu
This means a very Merry Christmas
Christmas, Christmas
To you
The song "Christmas Time All Over The World" sung by Sammy Davis Jr. celebrates the joy and universality of Christmas. The first stanza of the song highlights that it's not just Christmas at home but Christmas time all over the world. Despite the differing customs and languages, the appeal and the spirit of Christmas are the same. The second stanza illustrates the excitement and wonder in the eyes of the children as Santa Claus prepares to spread joy all over the world.
The song recognizes the different phrases for "Merry Christmas" in different languages worldwide, from "Sa riktig God Jul" in Norway to "Feliz Navidad" in Spain to "Yoi kurisumasu" in Japan. The song conveys a message that Christmas is a time of unity and love, not only in one particular culture or country but all over the world. The song's chorus repeats that it's Christmas time all over the world, and the wishes for a very Merry Christmas are not restricted to any particular region or location.
Line by Line Meaning
It's Christmas time all over the World
The holiday season is being celebrated in all parts of the world.
And Christmas here at home
Even though Christmas is being celebrated everywhere, it's still special to celebrate it at home.
The church bells chime wherever we roam
The sound of bells ringing in churches can be heard in all places visited during this time of year.
(Sa riktig God Jul, Feliz Natal, Shenoraavor Nor Dari) To you
Merry Christmas greetings are given in the local language of the places we visit.
The snow is thick in most of the world
Snow is common in many parts of the world during the holiday season.
And childrens' eyes are wide
Children are filled with wonder and excitement during this time of year.
As old Saint Nick gets ready to ride
Santa Claus is busy preparing for his worldwide journey to deliver presents to children.
(So Feliz Navidad, Sretan Bozic, And Happy New Year) To you
Season's greetings are offered in Spanish, Croatian and English.
Though the customs may change
Although traditions vary around the world,
And the language is strange
And the local language is unfamiliar,
This appeal we feel is real
The warmth and joy of the holiday season is universally recognized.
In Holland or Hong Kong
Whether in Europe or Asia,
It's Christmas time all over the World
People everywhere are celebrating the holiday season with joy and camaraderie.
In places near and far
Whether close to home or on the other side of the world,
And so my friend wherever you are
No matter where one is located,
(Ein frohliches Weihnachten, Kala Christougenna, Yoi kurisumasu) Which means a very Merry Christmas To you
We offer season's greetings in German, Greek and Japanese.
Yes, it's Christmas time all over the World
Indeed, the holiday season is celebrated globally and with great joy.
Christmas, Christmas
A joyful exclamation of the holiday season.
Christmas, Christmas
A joyful exclamation of the holiday season.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: HUGH MARTIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lebthot5787
It's Christmas time all over the World
It's Christmas here at home
The church bells chime wherever we roam
Sa riktig God Jul
Feliz Natal
Shenoraavor Nor Dari
Dari
To you
The snow is thick in most of the world
Childrens' eyes are wide
As old Saint Nick gets ready to ride
So Feliz Navidad
Sretan Bozic
And Happy New Year
New Year
To you
Though the customs might change
And the language is strange
This appeal we feel is real
In Holland or Hong Kong
It's Christmas…
@billjohnson3858
It's Christmas time all over the world
and Christmas here at home.
The church bells chime wherever we roam
So Joyeux Noël [French]
Feliz Natal [Portuguese]
Gelukkig Kerstfeest [Dutch]
To you.
The snow is thick in most of the world
And childrens' eyes are wide.
As old Saint Nick gets ready to ride
So Feliz Navidad [Spanish]
Crăciun Fericit [Romanian]
And Happy New Year
To you.
Though the customs may change
And the language is strange
This appeal we feel is real
In Holland or Hong Kong.
It's Christmas time all over the world
In places near and far.
And so my friends wherever you are
Ein fröhliches Weihnachten [German]
Kala Christougenna [Greek]
Yoi kurisumasu [Japanese]
Which means a very Merry Christmas
To you.
@bondjovi4595
"My friends... Wherever you are. Merry Christmas to you."
@katecoffee4744
I absolutely loved this song as a kid. I thought the World was one, big, happy family.
@judsonragsdale4576
Probably the most underrated Christmas song of all time
@Zobin211
Had this song running through my head on a snowy morning today in Wisconsin. So glad I could find it on YouTube. I remember this fondly from my halcyon youth. My parents had several of those Goodyear Christmas albums.
@elysianpark62
"Halycon" is a great word for what you experienced. I only heard this song about 15 years ago for the first time, and I instantly was mesmerized by it. It is so twinkly and good-hearted.
This song came out before I was born but I didn't hear it until I was well into adulthood. (Thank you, Sirius XM!l) It makes me long for a time long past.
@Kent-id7ee
We had those albums, too. I think they cost one dollar in those days
@johng618
We had one Good Year album with this song and Sleigh Ride on it. That and the Chipmunks Christmas album were staples in our house growing up. Love this song!
@victorialast4755
This song never plays on the Spotify or Pandora or YouTube Christmas lists. That should be a crime. It's a great song!
@tyrannosaurusburke
It's not Christmas until I've heard this song at least once in the holiday season.
@FredPickett-q8z
I agree 100 percent.