This version is expertly rendered by SoundClick member Mark Hermann, a great singer, perfectly suited to this style of storytelling. It's a seafaring tale that offers a rare homage to the maritime heritage of S. Calif.
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Story behind the song
It started quite literally as a ocean drenched dream and expanded initially into 14 verses. Paired it down w/ help of co-author Kim Cote (Cotee). It's a tribute to the maritime heritage of San Pedro, Ca. and the bar that was a magnet for merchant seamen.
Lyrics
Shanghai Red
I saw San Pedro fall to the wrecking ball
And now her history's dead.
Ay, it all turned to chalk
And splinters and rock
The day they took out Shanghai Red.
I've not all my life been a drunkard.
I shipped out when I was thirteen.
See, I longed for that realm
Between sailor and helm:
The wonder of man and machine.
It was different then, on the ships.
And the women were cut of a gentler cloth.
And if a man gave ya guff it was fisticuffs,
Bare knuckles and ten you'd get tossed.
So we'll brag and we'll boast
And we'll sing of the Coast
When we all were a little more free.
And were drink to the health of the Devil himself
And to God and the Dogs of the Sea.
I'm remembering' me as a cocky A-B
Quick to fighting' and quicker to gloat
I had nothing' to fear and a ticket to steer
Any bucket as good as could float.
There was lumber and coffee
And straight iron ore,
Coke and bananas and flax.
From Seattle to Wilmington every sailor
And longshoreman breakin' their backs.
So we'll brag and we'll boast
And we'll sing of the Coast
When we all were a little more free.
And were drink to the health of the Devil himself
And to God and the Dogs of the Sea.
Every night in my dreams comes a maiden
With eyes of an ebony grace
And she woos and she coos…
And me britches I lose.
And she leaves with a laugh in my face.
And the sea's rakin' over the well deck
(And) The rudder won't answer the wheel.
Lord, I'm fixin' to do dwell in that watery Hell
When the rocks make a bid to the keel.
So we'll brag and we'll boast
And we'll sing of the Coast
When we all were a little more free.
And were drink to the health of the Devil himself
And to God and the Dogs of the Sea.
In this soggy old lobby of a sailors' hotel
I'm nothing but buckles and creaks.
So I'm draining' a fifth with me buckos Joe Biff,
The Chinanman and three crazy Geeks.
And you think that it all lasts forever
When you marry the seafaring' trade.
I was strong.
I was dumb.
And I'm no longer young.
And my honest dollar's been made.
So we'll brag and we'll boast
And we'll sing of the Coast
When we all were a little more free.
And were drink to the health of the Devil himself...
I saw Sam Pedro fall to the wrecking ball
And now her history's dead.
Ay, it all turned to chalk
And splinters and rock
The day they took out Shanghai Red.
Copyright 1998 by D.C. Hall & Kim Cote