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.
Gonna Build a Mountain
Sammy Davis Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From a little hill
Gonna build me a mountain
'Least I hope I will
Gonna build a mountain
Gonna build it high
I don't know how I'm gonna do it
I only know I'm gonna try (yeah yeah)
Gonna build me a daydream (yeah yeah)
From a little hope (yeah yeah)
Gonna push that daydream (yeah yeah)
Up the mountain slope (yeah yeah)
Gonna build a daydream (yeah yeah)
Gonna see it through (yeah yeah)
Gonna build a mountain and a daydream
Gonna make them both come true (yeah yeah)
Gonna build a heaven
From a little hell
Gonna build me a heaven
And I know darn well
If I build my mountain with a lot of care
And take my daydream up the mountain
And heaven will be waiting there
When I build that heaven as I will someday (yeah yeah)
And the lord sends Gabriel to take me away (yeah yeah)
What a fine young son to take my place (yeah yeah)
I'll leave a son in my heaven on earth
With the good lord's grace
With a fine young son to take my place
I'll leave a son in my heaven on earth
Gonna build a mountain (yeah yeah)
The lyrics of Sammy Davis Jr.'s "Gonna Build a Mountain" are highly poetic and imaginative, with strong themes of hope, perseverance, and the power of dreams. The song speaks to the human desire to achieve something great, even when the path ahead may seem challenging or uncertain.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the song, with Davis declaring that he is going to build a mountain from a little hill, and that he hopes to be successful in this endeavor. It's a metaphorical statement that suggests he is going to start with something small and build it up into something much bigger and more impressive.
The second stanza continues this theme, with Davis describing how he is going to build a daydream from a little hope, and then push that daydream up the mountain slope. It's a beautiful image that speaks to the idea that with persistence and hard work, our dreams can become a reality.
The final stanza is perhaps the most poignant, as Davis speaks of building a heaven from a little hell. He suggests that even in the darkest moments, we have the power to create something beautiful and meaningful. And when he speaks of leaving a son in his heaven on earth, it's clear that he is thinking not just of his own legacy but of the impact that he can make on the world.
Overall, "Gonna Build a Mountain" is a powerful and inspiring song that captures the essence of the human spirit. It's a reminder that no matter how small our beginnings, we have the potential to achieve something great.
Line by Line Meaning
Gonna build a mountain
I am going to create something big and impressive.
From a little hill
I am going to start with something small and build it up into something great.
Gonna build me a mountain
I am going to make something that will be remembered.
'Least I hope I will
I am not sure if I will be successful, but I am going to try anyway.
Gonna build a mountain
I am going to make something grand and impressive.
Gonna build it high
I am going to make it amazing and awe-inspiring.
I don't know how I'm gonna do it
I am not sure how I am going to accomplish this, but I am determined to try anyway.
I only know I'm gonna try (yeah yeah)
I am going to give it my best effort.
Gonna build me a daydream (yeah yeah)
I am going to imagine something wonderful and make it a reality.
From a little hope (yeah yeah)
I am starting with a small idea and building it up into something amazing.
Gonna push that daydream (yeah yeah)
I am going to work hard to achieve my dreams and make them a reality.
Up the mountain slope (yeah yeah)
I am going to face challenges, but I will overcome them to achieve my goals.
Gonna build a daydream (yeah yeah)
I am going to make my dreams come true.
Gonna see it through (yeah yeah)
I am going to stick with it and not give up.
Gonna build a mountain and a daydream
I am going to make something grand and wonderful.
Gonna make them both come true (yeah yeah)
I am going to achieve my goals and make my dreams a reality.
Gonna build a heaven
I am going to create a perfect place.
From a little hell
I am going to turn a bad situation into something good.
Gonna build me a heaven
I am going to create something that is pure and good.
And I know darn well
I know that I am capable of doing great things.
If I build my mountain with a lot of care
I will take great care in making something that is truly amazing.
And take my daydream up the mountain
I will work hard to achieve my dreams and make them a reality.
And heaven will be waiting there
I will create something that is so amazing that it will feel like heaven.
When I build that heaven as I will someday (yeah yeah)
I am confident that I will make something perfect someday.
And the lord sends Gabriel to take me away (yeah yeah)
When I die and go to heaven, I will have done something great that will be remembered.
What a fine young son to take my place (yeah yeah)
My legacy will live on through my children and the things that I have created.
I'll leave a son in my heaven on earth
I will leave behind something truly amazing for future generations to enjoy.
With the good lord's grace
With God's help, I will achieve great things.
With a fine young son to take my place
My legacy will live on through my children and the things that I have created.
I'll leave a son in my heaven on earth
I will leave behind something truly amazing for future generations to enjoy.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Anthony Newley, Leslie Bricusse
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Gonna Build a Mountain
Sammy Davis Jr.
GONNA BUILD A MOUNTAIN LYRICS
Gonna build a mountain
From a little hill
Gonna build me a mountain
'Least I hope I will
Gonna build a mountain
Gonna build it high
I don't know how I'm gonna do it
I only know I'm gonna try
Gonna build me a daydream
From a little hope
Gonna push that daydream
Up the mountain slope
Gonna build a daydream
Gonna see it through
Gonna build a mountain and a daydream
Gonna make them both come true
Gonna build a heaven
From a little hell
Gonna build me a heaven
And I know darn well
If I build my mountain with a lot of care
And take my daydream up the mountain
And heaven will be waiting there
When I build that heaven as I will someday
And the lord sends Gabriel to take me away
What a fine young son to take my place
I'll leave a son in my heaven on earth
With the good lord's grace
With a fine young son to take my place
I'll leave a son in my heaven on earth
With the good lord's grace
Gonna build a mountain
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@ij7249
Came here because of Taehyung. This is one of his favorite tracks. 😁💜✨
@dyggieee2329
Sameeee
@Tony_Baloney_69420
sigh Kpop fans
@taehyungnguyen2316
i am here because taehyung
@cutieme3632
Yeah but i really like it 👁👄👁
@noodlemochi322
Im here cuz of Honda
@alaecherradi1841
Same same gurl
@mariellap.tumlos5367
Omo yes me too
@nijita4545
i was here because of the honda commercial
@juanalbano140
PLANET ZOO BROUGHT ME HERE