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.

Thou Swell
Sammy Davis Jr. Lyrics

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Thou swell, thou witty
Thou sweet, thou grand
Wouldst kiss me pretty
Wouldst hold my hand

Both thine eyes are cute too
What they do to me?
Hear me holler I choose

A sweet lollapaloosa in thee

I'd feel so rich
In a hut for two
Two rooms and kitchen
I'm sure would do

Give me just a plot of
Not a lot of land
And thou swell, thou witty
Thou grand

Thou swell, thou witty
Thou sweet, thou grand
Wouldst kiss me pretty
Wouldst hold my hand

Both thine eyes are cute too
What they do to me?
Hear me holler I choose
A sweet lollapaloosa in thee

I'd feel so rich
In a hut for two
Two rooms and kitchen
I'm sure would do

Give me just a plot of
Not a lot of land
And thou swell, thou witty
Thou grand

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Sammy Davis Jr.'s "Thou Swell" describe the singer's infatuation with someone who is charming, sweet, and attractive. The repeated phrase "thou swell, thou witty, thou sweet, thou grand" emphasizes the singer's admiration for this person's many positive qualities. The singer wishes to be kissed and have their hand held by this person, indicating their romantic interest. The lines "Both thine eyes are cute too / What they do to me?" suggest that the singer is captivated by the person's physical appearance, particularly their eyes.

The second verse continues the singer's fantasy of being with this person, imagining a modest home for the two of them to live in. The emphasis is not on material possessions, as the singer notes that a "hut for two / Two rooms and kitchen" would be enough for them. They desire only "a plot of / Not a lot of land" and the company of this charming person, whom they adoringly refer to as "thou swell, thou witty, thou grand."

Overall, the lyrics to "Thou Swell" express the feeling of being smitten with someone and imagining a simple but happy life together.

Line by Line Meaning

Thou swell, thou witty
You are charming and clever

Thou sweet, thou grand
You are lovely and impressive

Wouldst kiss me pretty
You have a desire to kiss me beautifully

Wouldst hold my hand
You want to hold my hand

Both thine eyes are cute too
Your eyes are adorable

What they do to me?
What effect do they have on me?

Hear me holler I choose
Hear me shout that I select you

A sweet lollapaloosa in thee
You are an amazing and special person

I'd feel so rich
I would feel wealthy

In a hut for two
Even a small dwelling would be wonderful if we are together