Sweet Thing is the only song on the album to look forward instead of backward. In the words of an Allmusic reviewer:
Over the endlessly descending, circular progression, Morrison sings positive lyrics about nature and a romantic partner, seemingly beginning in the middle of a thought: And I will st...
[Verse 1]
And I will stroll the merry way and jump the hedges first
And I will drink the clear clean water for to quench my thirst
And I shall watch the ferry-boats, and they'll get high
On a bluer ocean against tomorrow's sky
[Pre-Chorus 1]
And I will never grow so old again
And I will walk and talk in gardens all wet with rain
[Chorus 1]
Oh-uh-oh-oh, sweet thing, this sweet thing
Eh-eh-yo, sweet thing
Yeah-yeah my, my, my, my, my sweet thing
[Verse 2]
And I shall drive my chariot down your streets and cry
Hey, it's me, I'm dynamite, and I don't know why
And you shall take me strongly in your arms again
And I will not remember that I ever felt the pain
[Pre-Chorus 2]
We shall walk and talk in gardens all misty wet
All misty wet with rain down
And I will never, never, never grow so old again
[Chorus 2]
Oh-uh-oh, you sweet thing
Oh-uh-oh, oh, you sweet thing, sweet thing
My, my, my, my, my
[Verse 3]
And I will raise my hand up into the night time sky
And count the stars that's shining in your eye
And just to dig it all an' not to wonder, that's just fine
And I'll be satisfied not to read in between the lines
[Pre-Chorus]
And I will walk and talk in gardens all wet with rain
And I will never, ever, ever, ever grow so old again
[Outro]
Oh-uh-oh, sweet thing
Oh-uh-oh-uh-oh, sugar baby
Oh-uh-oh, sweet thing
Sugar baby, sugar baby, sugar baby
With your champagne eyes
And your saint-like smile
Sweet Thing was written by Van Morrison.
Sweet Thing was produced by Lewis Merenstein.
Van Morrison released Sweet Thing on Fri Nov 29 1968.