Name: Shanghai Red (Featuring Mark Hermann)
Channel: Cote & Hall
Description: License options are available for this song. 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.

Shanghai Red (Featuring Mark Hermann)

Dean Clark Hall (US)

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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.

Dean Clark Hall (US)

"Tho' I love writing songs I consider myself a composer. Cut my teeth on orchestration when I was a copyist for Manilow. Country influence holds sway right now.

DEAN CLARK HALL In 1974 after studying music at Fullerton College and Cal State Fullerton became a member of Canadian showman Dick Caldwell's show group as singer/instrumentalist. Toured United States and Canada extensively. Returned to California in 1976 free-lancing as an instrumentalist /singer and band leader. Worked as a staff copyist for Barry Manilow. Sang three seasons with the Orange County Master Chorale under Dr. Maurice Allard, appearing with the Glendale symphony under Carmen Dragon. In 1981 formed nightclub act "Gina, Dean & Scoundrel", touring North America for 5 years including Nevada and Atlantic City, recording album and single. With Cynthia Caldwell in 1988 composed and arranged the theme song "Make it Happen" for the state of W. Virginia Cerebral Palsy Telethon "Miracle '88". For eleven years acted as Music Director for Dick Caldwell's annual "Klondike Days" show at RCAF 700 Wing, Edmonton, Alberta. Also did arranging for Caldwell's appearances on Canadian television. Worked behind comedians Rodney Dangerfield, Gallagher, Williams & Ree. Television credits include Canadian variety program "Spotlight", "Miracle '88 with Shelly West", "The Love Boat" (with own group), "Donny & Marie" (with Spike Jones, Jr.). In 1989 formed the duo "Dean & Richard" working L.A. area and cruising the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Trans-Atlantic. Duo has performed corporate conventions throughout N.A. In 2004 headlined his own act on Holland America ships Veendam and Ryndam to Mexico, Central America. Performed seven yrs. with "Dean & Richard" at Dear John's Steakhouse in Culver City, Ca. Monthly appearances include Hilton Universal City and Culver City Elks Lodge. Original music available at most online retailers. YouTube channel at Dean Clark (D.C.) Hall. "Dean & Richard" are on Facebook.com/deanandrichard. Mr. Hall has been seen performing in movies "Hidalgo", "Bounce", "Old School", "Man on the Moon", "The Independent". Affiliations: AFofM (Local 47), BMI, Screen Actors' Guild

Song Info

Genre

Acoustic • Acoustic Folk

Charts

#6,564 today Peak #184

#1,481 in subgenre Peak #38

Author

Cote & Hall

Rights

1998 US Copyright Office

Uploaded

February 10, 2010

Track Files

MP3

MP3 5.8 MB • 128 kbps • 6:19

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

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