hey, i realise this is literally half a decade old (wow that's scary) but for anyone that stumbles onto this comment I just wanted to say I'll never remove this vid and I have it backed up, so if it ever gets taken down I'll make sure it's uploaded again
I have watched this at least 100 times over the years and I never get sick of it. He is a gift. His talent is a gift to us! Thankfully we have some awesome videos to cherish
@@andreww.8709 It's simply stunning. So much there to go into but you have to start with the talent.Not many singers, Sinatra included could do what he did. Just brilliant
I’ve watched this at least 100 times and it never gets old. That ending never fails to give me chills. He was one of the greatest entertainers in history!
From what he went through ie Tom Crow, even when he was part of the ," Rat Pack" it's an honour to what's him come through all that. He invented the triple threat, god bless you , Mr Davis
Mr. Davis not only had a beautiful and powerful voice, he could transport you body, soul, and spirit into the depth of his emotion. I was with him there on the banks of the river. This performance brought a tear to my eyes. I miss him very much.
He also brought me to the banks of that river, he brought all of us bloodlines of the used and abused to that rivers edge. No one brings situations to Life like Sammy!. Rest in peace my brother, you will never be forgotten.
I didn't think any version of this great song could be better than the well-known original sung by Paul Robeson. This is one of the most moving renditions that I've ever heard. Absolutely stunning. Profound respect to Mr. Sammy Davis Jr.
When they make a movie about this great man, as well they should. This has to be the opening song. It captures the pain and greatness of this man. I love him
Come on man I know you're loyal, but, Sammy's version is much better than the original version ! Sammy have a much better singing voice and he put much more emotion into this song I can feel this !!!!
I agree, Sammy lived through racism in the army then in life when he was singing. There was segregation when he went to Las Vegas and Frank Sinatra stepped in and told the hotel owners he was never going to sing there again if they didn’t let Sammy eat and sleep in the hotel where they were performing. It’s why he can sing this song with such feeling. He was a great singer and tap dancer, I loved him.
Oh yes Pete, He could sing, dance, play musical instruments, he could do impressions, he could entertain 2 hours straight and you'd swear he just started his set. HE WAS THE MAN!!!!!
He was soooo Talented. Entertainer Extrodinaire: Singer, Dancer, Actor, Comedian, Impressionist! What could he not do? He played a bitter gunman looking for revenge in a Rifleman episode. Just Incredible!
The most "soulful" rendition of "Ol' Man River" ever. The phrasing, dynamics and pauses are classic Sammy Davis, Jr. I love at the end when he changes the lyrics from "skeered of dyin'" to "but ain't afraid of dyin'.'"
To those of you watching this in 2069, hello from 2022. This man was an entertainer in the purest sense of the word. Hold on to this music and I am glad you are here to appreciate the greatness of Sammy Davis, Jr.
I2CL it supposed to say he is afraid of dying. It goes "I'm tired of livin but I'm sceared of dyin" to express the existential dilemma a slave faced but I think Sammy wanted to express defiance and courage
thebullybuffalo If I'm correct it has been altered throughout the years, especially compared to the original. Frank sang 'feared', Judy sang 'scared' and each one beautiful. I agree, the power and defiance within his interpretation is moving, must be my favourite.
I2CL they changed the words but they kept the meaning. Sammy changed the meaning here and sang a message he wanted to share and I think he did so fantasticly. Normally the song is a despairing groan but Sammy made it a defiant shout
Absolutely mesmerising, simply the best performance I’ve ever seen by Sammy which left me spellbound. Such a big voice came out of his small body. Rest in peace dearest Sammy, I’ll never forget you and will forever love and miss you. 💔
How these people didn't give him a standing ovation was absurd.what they witnessed was the greatest rendition ever performed.sammy Davis jr.was without a doubt the greatest singer and entertainer that ever lived.no one can ever come close to his talents.no one.
It gives me goosebumps. What a fantastic interpretation. We almost forget about the slavery and racism and think that people should be friends and together against racism. Great Sammy.
Gosh, I miss Sammy Davis Jr.!! He was So talented, acting, singing and dancing.. along with a comic side too! RIH Sammy!! Singing with the angel's choir..
Sometimes it feels like these days never ended. Our people still stand up before the world and speak about man's indignity to man. It's been a long time coming, the event that will finally make others understand that black lives matter too.
Sammy Davis Jr., a truly gifted performer, humanitarian, and writer. Back in the late 1960s, he wrote his life story in a book titled, "Yes I Can!" which was a real page turner. I was in high school then, and his book really got me in the heart. His book made you laugh, cry, and question life. Driving around Vegas, I always feel his presence on the marquees and at the Moulin Rouge. He was the star who blazed the way for other Black and minority entertainers. An incredible human being!
No computer animated stuff no autotune just the singer with an incredible voice singing in actually telling the story of the song this was an absolute fantastic performance of this song
Wow! He doesn't try to do Robeson. Sammy never could do that version. I love the way he makes this song his own, giving it just as much emotion as the original. That ending, tho. Chills.
The Wonderful talent of Sammy Davis Jr, how privileged have we been to witness his gift to the World. Thank you so much Sammy Davis Jr Peace be with you ❤
Close to tears watching this everytime. The fact I will never be able to experience such talent live like this, like Sinatra, Martin etc. Absolutely wounds me, I'm sure I was born 50 years later than I should have been!
Wow-I was brought here by a commenter in the Sinatra version I watched who said "Sammy does Old Man River better than Frank", and I have to say I agree. This gave me goosebumps. I have heard this song and loved it for decades; yet its full import did not really hit me until this rendition. Heck, I saw a Showboat revival on Broadway a few years back, and this version was far superior.
Yes Sammy Davis Jr. !!!!!!! I, too, want to see all Americans being accepted as equal like all Americans that are declared by the U.S. Constitution. You are a loving and kind gentleman to everyone. Am 78 yrs. old and raised in Hawaii !!!!!! Bless you Sammy Davis forever!!!!! Thanks to you and Joseph Hughes for this iconic posting. Gratefully, Robert S.J. Hu July 4, 2020 .
😂😂Every time I hear this song i can't believe Sammy doesn't get a standing ovation at the end of this song. His singing of this song is like an artist painting a picture of the old south. I wish i had been in the audience that night he would have got what he truly deserved. Keep rolling along Sammy.
Spellbinding performance by one the All time Greatest performers... who knew how to hold an audience in the palm of his hand.. Brilliant singer dancer comic impressionist and could act not only on screen but like any great singer , through song.. storytelling...He is irreplaceable!
Those 20 , or 30 people at the front didn't realise at the time, but they were witnessing the greatest single performance from any performer EVER! The greatest!!!
It is the best Version I ever heard - free from trivial make-up its, brutal, honest - bravissimo Sammy - you still belong to the greatest of all-time
Hans-Horst Mueller Paul Robeson
bravo well said....
Hans-Horst Mueller I'm particularly fond of Ramey Samuel's version
Curtiss Nelson; Exactly! Paul Robeson! The best! Also Samuel Ramey!
think paris 85 better but both great
Please never remove this, it's pure class
hey, i realise this is literally half a decade old (wow that's scary) but for anyone that stumbles onto this comment I just wanted to say I'll never remove this vid and I have it backed up, so if it ever gets taken down I'll make sure it's uploaded again
Sammy Davis, Jr. was one of the greatest entertainers that ever lived.
Not one of. THE greatest. Ever.❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Top 2!!!
I have watched this at least 100 times over the years and I never get sick of it. He is a gift. His talent is a gift to us! Thankfully we have some awesome videos to cherish
Same here Michele, it is such an accomplished performance.
@@andreww.8709 It's simply stunning. So much there to go into but you have to start with the talent.Not many singers, Sinatra included could do what he did. Just brilliant
Truly the very best performance of this song. The talent this man had is on a totally different level. Thankfully we have videos
Yes, he is a gift.
American has many gifted peoples too.
I’ve watched this at least 100 times and it never gets old. That ending never fails to give me chills. He was one of the greatest entertainers in history!
Indeed he was. Gone far too soon. 😢
They were witnessing a a special moment in entertainment history- it’s like a musical production perfection 🙏
Right? I remember seeing him on TV, but really beautiful to reintroduce myself to this great man.
From what he went through ie Tom Crow, even when he was part of the ," Rat Pack" it's an honour to what's him come through all that. He invented the triple threat, god bless you , Mr Davis
@@johnhodgson4588 Jim Crow. He went through Jim Crow.
He should have gotten a standing ovation for that. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Well, sure - but there was no need for it, he knew what he just did!
@@propeller89 Just watched it again after having left this comment three years ago. Yeah....he deserved a standing ovation.
@@propeller89 He literally dropped the mic! BRAVO Sammy!!!
If I'd been there I would have stood up. My soul would have demanded it!!
@@MrChelseabun Absolutely.
Mr. Davis not only had a beautiful and powerful voice, he could transport you body, soul, and spirit into the depth of his emotion. I was with him there on the banks of the river. This performance brought a tear to my eyes. I miss him very much.
well said
He also brought me to the banks of that river, he brought all of us bloodlines of the used and abused to that rivers edge. No one brings situations to Life like Sammy!.
Rest in peace my brother, you will never be forgotten.
Those lucky, lucky people in the audience witnessing one of the greatest performances in the history of entertainment. Absolutely Wonderful!
And yet they didn't give him an ovation and it was the last song of the concert...must be a mostly white audience.
@@thomaslong8448 BACK THEN PEOPLE WERE MRE REFINED. TODAY PEOPLE ARE SO HYPED UP THAT ALL A PERSON HAS TO DO IS SAY HIS NAME AND THE CHEERS BEGIN.
There will never be another singer whose heart and soul can be felt in songs, like Sammy Davis Jr.
I want to give Sammy millions and millions of likes. No one like him.
I didn't think any version of this great song could be better than the well-known original sung by Paul Robeson. This is one of the most moving renditions that I've ever heard. Absolutely stunning. Profound respect to Mr. Sammy Davis Jr.
When they make a movie about this great man, as well they should. This has to be the opening song.
It captures the pain and greatness of this man. I love him
Come on man I know you're loyal, but, Sammy's version is much better than the original version ! Sammy have a much better singing voice and he put much more emotion into this song I can feel this !!!!
I agree, Sammy lived through racism in the army then in life when he was singing. There was segregation when he went to Las Vegas and Frank Sinatra stepped in and told the hotel owners he was never going to sing there again if they didn’t let Sammy eat and sleep in the hotel where they were performing. It’s why he can sing this song with such feeling. He was a great singer and tap dancer, I loved him.
This man, Sammy Davis Jr, is on a completely different level to any other born individual.
Oh yes Pete, He could sing, dance, play musical instruments, he could do impressions, he could entertain 2 hours straight and you'd swear he just started his set. HE WAS THE MAN!!!!!
Absolutely ❤️
Bullshit. Listen to Paul Robeson. Additionally - Sinatra didn't change the lyrics like Sammy did.
@@markbeames7852 spell his name right if you’re such a fan
@@timfarmer oh my! Did I touch a nerve? LOL
In tears. Sammy Ripped my heart out. Thank you sir.
You have no heart?
Awwwwwww he was so broken here...you can feel his pain regret and humility
This is the best version of this song that I've ever heard.
He was soooo Talented.
Entertainer Extrodinaire:
Singer, Dancer, Actor, Comedian, Impressionist!
What could he not do?
He played a bitter gunman looking for revenge in a Rifleman episode.
Just Incredible!
The Best entertainer in the world. And will be always will be
The most "soulful" rendition of "Ol' Man River" ever. The phrasing, dynamics and pauses are classic Sammy Davis, Jr. I love at the end when he changes the lyrics from "skeered of dyin'" to "but ain't afraid of dyin'.'"
Just shut up.
The Paul Robson lyrics as original stand. You're wrong. You're not afraid of dying? Oh, okay.
I think the original version makes more sense, but Sammy’s singing is the best I’ve heard of this song
A beautiful song, magnificently performed by an outstanding artist.
Many years later though, man's inhumanity to man is still undiminished
Powerful and 🙂😉 Wonderful. 💛🧡 Crying a "River" of tears now December 9, 2019. Rest in Paradise Mr. Sammy Davis, Jr.😭
*Sung from the heart & the gut. in his prime: he was among the very greatest.*
Greetings from Barbados. I concur
The greatest!
I'M 26 YEARS OLD & I LOVE HIM & OLD SCHOOL MUSIC
To those of you watching this in 2069, hello from 2022. This man was an entertainer in the purest sense of the word. Hold on to this music and I am glad you are here to appreciate the greatness of Sammy Davis, Jr.
The last section from 'I ain't afraid of dying' etc... Honestly chills every time.
I2CL it supposed to say he is afraid of dying. It goes "I'm tired of livin but I'm sceared of dyin" to express the existential dilemma a slave faced but I think Sammy wanted to express defiance and courage
thebullybuffalo If I'm correct it has been altered throughout the years, especially compared to the original. Frank sang 'feared', Judy sang 'scared' and each one beautiful. I agree, the power and defiance within his interpretation is moving, must be my favourite.
I2CL they changed the words but they kept the meaning. Sammy changed the meaning here and sang a message he wanted to share and I think he did so fantasticly. Normally the song is a despairing groan but Sammy made it a defiant shout
I cried
This song meant so much to Sammy I saw him perform this at the London Palladium it brought the house down
Absolutely mesmerising, simply the best performance I’ve ever seen by Sammy which left me spellbound. Such a big voice came out of his small body. Rest in peace dearest Sammy, I’ll never forget you and will forever love and miss you. 💔
I particularly like how he ends the greatest ever performance of this song with the most graceful, elegant mic drop you've ever seen.
One of the greatest artists of our time!! He cannot receive enough tributes.
Never realised how stunning his voice was
That is the most powerful singing ever. I mean holy shit, if that doesn't give you the chills you're probably dead inside.
This version of Ol'Man River is my favourite...
The best there ever was or will be. So much talent in one man. Mr. Entertainment. Was privileged to see him perform many times. Loved this man, SAMMY.
"But I ant afraid of dying" this one line just took me out! My emotions MY EMOTIONS
I wish I had been there in that audience to witness this outstanding performance, they should be on their feet for this Legend
There are no words. We are the poorer for losing him much too soon but privileged to witness his legacy. RIP Mr. Davis and thank you.
How these people didn't give him a standing ovation was absurd.what they witnessed was the greatest rendition ever performed.sammy Davis jr.was without a doubt the greatest singer and entertainer that ever lived.no one can ever come close to his talents.no one.
I've never hard this before, what a powerful performance in every way.
Such a deep moving rendition of this song , I had to wipe the tears away from my eyes... Sammy knows how to move you !!!!!!!
It's good to hear him sing the full introduction.
I believe that's called the prelude.
His voice will never be silenced.
There will never be anyone else that this man has. RIP Sammy you were irreplaceable. X❤
majestic performance... nobody nobody can sing like Sammy....
Paul Robesons version is amazing too
1st time I have seen this clip..agree..shivers up the spine.
Play it again Sam..
Still watching October 2019
This is just amazing, been watching it for over a month now. Magic
That ending though. Gives me goosebumps!
It gives me goosebumps. What a fantastic interpretation. We almost forget about the slavery and racism and think that people should be friends and together against racism. Great Sammy.
I didn't have you down as an idealist Faycal, but maybe you are just a forward thinker, like this man was...
This is just pure legendary.
Agreed. This isn't just a performance, it's a lengendary expression of personal emotion, historical meaning and a rich and glorious talent.
That young folks is real singing entertaining and Musik and not the stuff of today
People like Sammy Davis Jr are sadly missed in the todays world
Gosh, I miss Sammy Davis Jr.!! He was So talented, acting, singing and dancing.. along with a comic side too! RIH Sammy!! Singing with the angel's choir..
Sometimes it feels like these days never ended. Our people still stand up before the world and speak about man's indignity to man. It's been a long time coming, the event that will finally make others understand that black lives matter too.
When I get to heaven, I'm going to look for Sammy Davis Jr. And if he ain't there i'm leaving.
Sammy Davis Jr., a truly gifted performer, humanitarian, and writer. Back in the late 1960s, he wrote his life story in a book titled, "Yes I Can!" which was a real page turner. I was in high school then, and his book really got me in the heart. His book made you laugh, cry, and question life. Driving around Vegas, I always feel his presence on the marquees and at the Moulin Rouge. He was the star who blazed the way for other Black and minority entertainers. An incredible human being!
In the book Ordeal, Linda Lovelace recounts the time Sammy Davis Jr. gave oral sex to her handler Mr. Trainor during a movie.
Crying. He was so great. I thank God I got to see him twice
this is the most amazing thing ive ever heard
Sammy Davis Junior = Legend
pure class
No computer animated stuff no autotune just the singer with an incredible voice singing in actually telling the story of the song this was an absolute fantastic performance of this song
You're damn right! Pure talent.
But its a free country and he did say it so.......there.....
BBBYpsi hear! hear! 👏🏼
This is so powerful, I can't stop watching it. Sammy was an awesome talent. May he RIP.
Wow! He doesn't try to do Robeson. Sammy never could do that version. I love the way he makes this song his own, giving it just as much emotion as the original.
That ending, tho. Chills.
Oh Man, Sammy can wring emotion out of old shoe leather and it would sound great!
so true
Good version, but I still like Paul Robeson.
Well said
This is better
Proper singing, not like today god bless Sammy
I dig the candy man. Sammy was a cool cat. Rest easy Mr bojangles. TX.
The Wonderful talent of Sammy Davis Jr, how privileged have we been to witness his gift to the World. Thank you so much Sammy
Davis Jr
Peace be with you ❤
Brought me to tears. His and Judy's version give me chills
His every performance deserved a Grammy and Tony (or Obie).
One of the greatest singers of his era....in order for this song to work one must embody it ....Davis did just that and magically so.
Daaaamn!! Made my hair stand!
Flawless!
Ahhhhhhhh....ain't nobody does it like Sammy!
AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME ------
Close to tears watching this everytime. The fact I will never be able to experience such talent live like this, like Sinatra, Martin etc. Absolutely wounds me, I'm sure I was born 50 years later than I should have been!
Magnificent. What a beautiful, powerful voice. This song gets to me every time
What a totally stupendous version of an old song! Sammy Davies Jr, the real master.
MsG
Wow-I was brought here by a commenter in the Sinatra version I watched who said "Sammy does Old Man River better than Frank", and I have to say I agree. This gave me goosebumps.
I have heard this song and loved it for decades; yet its full import did not really hit me until this rendition. Heck, I saw a Showboat revival on Broadway a few years back, and this version was far superior.
The Wham of Sam! Even Old Blue Eyes couldn't top this one.
Bloody well done! This bloke could entertain
What a great rendition of this song & love sammy Fantastic 🥰
Yes Sammy Davis Jr. !!!!!!! I, too, want to see all Americans being accepted as equal like all Americans that are declared by the U.S.
Constitution. You are a loving and kind gentleman to everyone. Am 78 yrs. old and raised in Hawaii !!!!!! Bless you Sammy Davis
forever!!!!! Thanks to you and Joseph Hughes for this iconic posting. Gratefully, Robert S.J. Hu July 4, 2020 .
he got me right through the heart! I have never heard a voice that meaningful!
Absolutely fantastic. What a voice!
have listened to this so many times and still gives me shivers up my spine
a great artist was sammy.
😂😂Every time I hear this song i can't believe Sammy doesn't get a standing ovation at the end of this song. His singing of this song is like an artist painting a picture of the old south. I wish i had been in the audience that night he would have got what he truly deserved. Keep rolling along Sammy.
the last 44 seconds are just magnificent
"life gets weary, and I'm sick of trying, I'm tiered of living, but I ain't afraid of dying!" Wow.
Jij en the ol man, voor altijd, geweldig!
He has the most melodic voice there has ever been.
Thanks for everything. Mr candy man.
Spellbinding performance by one the All time Greatest performers... who knew how to hold an audience in the palm of his hand.. Brilliant singer dancer comic impressionist and could act not only on screen but like any great singer , through song.. storytelling...He is irreplaceable!
Still gives me chills. AMAZING. Best rendition of all time
I agree Mr T, this is my favorite rendition. I do like the original baritone but Sammy puts his own stamp on the song
One word ... SUPERB!
Those 20 , or 30 people at the front didn't realise at the time, but they were witnessing the greatest single performance from any performer EVER! The greatest!!!
Watching this in 2020 amid the Covid-19 Pandemic. Music doesn't get better than this - this little man hits you in all the right places.
Bravo, Sammy could feel the chains!
Sammy we all loved you in Australia. Especially on the Don Lane Show In Melbourne Australia.
Wow! I always thought next to Robeson, Sinatra had the stellar version. Until now, Sammy’s version is just fabulous!
Don't forget about William Warfield.
One of the greatest!
One word ..............emotion .
I''m tired of living, but ain't afraid of dying. Your so right, emotion. This version can bring a man to tears.
Pound for pound, Sammy was probably the most talented of the Rat Pack.