Samuel George "Sammy" Davis, Jr. (born December 8, 1925 in Harlem, New York… Read Full Bio ↴Samuel George "Sammy" Davis, Jr. (born December 8, 1925 in Harlem, New York; died May 16, 1990 in Beverly Hills, California) was a Grammy Award winning singer, Golden Globe and Emmy Award winning actor, dancer, multi-instrumentalist and only black member of Frank Sinatra's The Rat Pack. Davis began his career with his father and uncle in the Will Mastin Trio and he toured nationally with them, only leaving due to military service. He became an overnight sensation following a nightclub performance at Ciro's after the 1951 Academy Awards, became a successful recording artist and then made his first film performances later that decade.

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.

The Christmas Song
Sammy Davis Jr. Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

All through the year we've waited
Waited through spring and fall
To hear silver bells ringing and winter-time bringing
The happiest season of all

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir

And folks dressed up like Eskimos

Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
Will help to make the season bright
And tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Will find it hard to sleep tonight

They know that Santa's on his way
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
And every mother's child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly

And so I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety two
Although it's been said many times, many ways
Merry Christmas Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas to you

Happy holidays

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Sammy Davis Jr.'s The Christmas Song convey a sense of anticipation and excitement for the holiday season. The first stanza speaks of waiting throughout the year to hear the sound of silver bells ringing and to experience the happiest season of all, which is the winter season that brings along with it a feeling of warmth and togetherness. The second stanza goes on to paint a vivid picture of the familiar sights and sounds of Christmas - chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose, yuletide carols being sung by a choir, and people dressed up like Eskimos.

The third stanza talks about the traditions that help to make the season bright, such as a turkey and mistletoe, and the excitement that children feel with their eyes aglow, making it hard for them to sleep. The fourth stanza speaks of the iconic figure of Santa Claus, who is bringing lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh, and every child is eagerly anticipating his arrival, hoping to catch a glimpse of his flying reindeer. The song ends with the simple phrase of wishing everyone, from kids to ninety-two-year-olds, a merry Christmas and happy holidays.

Line by Line Meaning

All through the year we've waited
We have been looking forward to Christmas all year long

Waited through spring and fall
We have been waiting for Christmas patiently through all the seasons

To hear silver bells ringing and winter-time bringing
We eagerly await the sound of silver bells ringing as winter arrives

The happiest season of all
Christmas is the happiest time of the year

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
We enjoy roasting chestnuts over an open fire during the Christmas season

Jack Frost nipping at your nose
The cold of winter can cause our noses to become numb

Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir
Christmas carols are often sung by choirs during the Christmas season

And folks dressed up like Eskimos
People often wear warm, cozy clothes like Eskimos during the cold winter season

Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
It is a well-known tradition to have a turkey and mistletoe during Christmas

Will help to make the season bright
These items add to the joy and brightness of the Christmas season

And tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Children are filled with wonder and excitement during Christmas

Will find it hard to sleep tonight
Children may have difficulty falling asleep because of the excitement of Christmas

They know that Santa's on his way
Children are aware that Santa Claus is coming to deliver presents

He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
Santa Claus has brought many presents and treats on his sleigh

And every mother's child is gonna spy
All children can't resist spying and peeking during Christmas

To see if reindeer really know how to fly
Children are curious to see if the reindeer can actually fly

And so I'm offering this simple phrase
I am giving this simple message

To kids from one to ninety two
This message is for everyone, regardless of age

Although it's been said many times, many ways
This message has been expressed in many different ways

Merry Christmas Merry Christmas
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to you
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas

Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Mel Torme, Robert Wells

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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