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.
There's A Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon For New York
Sammy Davis Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where that come from. Listen: There's a boat dat's
Leavin' soon for New York. Come wid me, dat's where
We belong, sister.
You an' me kin live dat high life in New York.
Come wid me, dere you can't go wrong, sister.
I'll buy you de swellest mansion Up on upper Fi'th Avenue
An' through Harlem we'll go struttin',
We'll go astruttin',
An' dere'll be nuttin'
Too good for you.
I'll dress you in silks and satins
In de latest Paris styles.
And de blues you'll be forgettin',
You'll be forgettin',
There'll be no frettin'
Jes nothin' but smiles.
Come along wid me, Hey dat's de place,
Don't be a fool, come along, come along.
There's a boat dat's leavin' soon for New York
Come wid me, dat's where we belong, sister,
Dat's where we belong! Come on, Bess!
You low, crawlin' hound! Get away from my door, I tells
You, leave it, you rattlesnake. Dat's what you is,
A rattlesnake!
The lyrics of Sammy Davis Jr.'s song "There's A Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon For New York" are about an invitation to leave things behind and try something new. The singer of the lyrics is calling out to Bess, asking her to come with him to New York, where they can leave their troubles behind and find a new, better life. He convinces Bess by offering to buy her the finest things, like mansions on Fifth Avenue and the latest Parisian fashions. He promises that they can walk through Harlem in style and forget about their past struggles. The refrain of the song repeats the invitation to come along, emphasizing that New York is the place where they belong.
The lyrics can be interpreted in many ways, but on a basic level, they are about the desire for change and the belief that a change of scenery can bring new opportunities and happiness. The singer is trying to persuade Bess to take a risk and join him on this journey to New York, arguing that staying behind would be foolish. He offers a vision of a glamorous, carefree life that Bess might be tempted by.
Line by Line Meaning
That's the thing, ain' it? An' membuh there's.
Acknowledging that this is the issue and remembering there is a solution.
Where that come from. Listen: There's a boat dat's Leavin' soon for New York. Come wid me, dat's where We belong, sister.
Pointing out that the boat to New York is where they truly belong, and inviting the person to come along.
You an' me kin live dat high life in New York. Come wid me, dere you can't go wrong, sister.
Assuring the person that they'll live a luxurious life in New York and that they won't regret coming with him.
I'll buy you de swellest mansion Up on upper Fi'th Avenue
Promising to buy her the best mansion located in a posh area of the city.
An' through Harlem we'll go struttin', We'll go astruttin', An' dere'll be nuttin' Too good for you.
Walking through Harlem with pride and showing off, without caring about what anyone else thinks or says.
I'll dress you in silks and satins In de latest Paris styles. And de blues you'll be forgettin', You'll be forgettin',
Dressing her in expensive and elegant clothing, so she can forget about any problems she had before.
There'll be no frettin' Jes nothin' but smiles.
Ensuring that she will only have happy moments, with no worries or stress.
Come along wid me, Hey dat's de place, Don't be a fool, come along, come along.
Inviting her again to take the opportunity and join him in New York, while urging her not to miss this chance.
There's a boat dat's leavin' soon for New York Come wid me, dat's where we belong, sister, Dat's where we belong! Come on, Bess!
Reiterating that the boat to New York is the place where they belong and insisting that she comes with him. Calling her by name.
Lyrics © SONGS MUSIC PUBLISHING, RALEIGH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: DOROTHY HEYWARD, DU BOSE HEYWARD, GEORGE GERSHWIN, IRA GERSHWIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lesliecolyer_brown6208
The 1959 production was outstanding. The Gershwins and MGM have kept this classic from the public for estate reasons. I pray that one day they will consent to negotiate and re-release it. As a child, I fell in love with this opera and it touches me still. Mr. Davis' wonderful voice and interpretation of this number gives just the right amount of "oiliness" to Sportin' Life's character.
@petradonovan5161
I remember seeing the 1959 movie at least a dozen times as a teenager in Europe and I loved it so much. It introduced me to Gershwin, to musical theatre and to opera. I saw the Broadway revival a few years ago starring Audra MacDonald and it was fantastic. David Allan Grier played Sportin' Life and stopped the show with his rendition of There's A Boat...as well as it Ain't Necessarily So. I couldn't help but think back to Sammy Davis Jr's genius renditions of both those songs in the movie. It's criminal that the film is out of circulation.
@normantrombon
Leslie Colyer_Brown ...saw the film once on tv in the formerly united states. Stayed with me all my life, and I’m no spring chicken. Now, I’m a professional trombone player, singer, and showman, and I get to represent this music in the european community, to the best of my ability. Sure beats workin’!
@StarZendonna1687
WOW!! I'm speechless! The way Sammy crosses his arms is so charismatic.
@CriticalListener
A masterful performance. No one did it better.
@syneathiabell1350
Wow. Sammy has so much talent....I love you Sammy.
@ariellakahan-harth8831
Amazing...just WOW. He plays this so charming but so sinister!
@williamselby7740
I am so incredibly thrilled that you posted this!! I've never forgotten it (I had it on an old VHS tape I haven't seen in many years) -- Thank you. I consider it to be one of the most memorable performances I've seen in my life! Excellent.
@ningxiabird
This is so great! What a fabulous interpretation. I love Sammy Davis Jr. :-)
@EdwardRobinson15580
SgtPlmFry It actually IS available on Amazon.com. I just bought it. The quality isn't the best but it's CLASSIC.