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Sunday, September 25, 2016

Story Behind The Song - "Yeah, A Harbor"

                                             Story Behind The Song - “Yeah, A Harbor”



When it really comes down to it, there really aren't all that many people who don't like a harbor, are there? There's the romance to them,the mystical inspiration, a pinnacle for adventure. You see a boat leaving and where is it off to? A day's fishing trip, or possibly a sail? Perhaps an adventurous escapade to some foreign port many, many nautical miles away? There's also day to day living of those in the harbors, marinas, and the adjoining businesses, restaurants, supply stores, and bars. To an outsider, the thought inevitably and enviously crosses one's mind “Boy! This must be a cool life!”



It's so different that they actually have their own dialect in nautical English! It's not a bathroom, it's a head. It's not a kitchen, but a galley. It's not a bed, but rather a birth. The people here go to the beat of their own drummer. Additionally, it doesn't matter if they are in Boston, Key West, London England Perth, Australia, Nassau, Bahamas, or Kingston, Jamaica. If it's on a boat it's a Head, Galley, Birth... etc. 




Throughout my life I've been in,or around harbors. It seemed only a matter of time before I wrote a song about it. Why there aren't more, I couldn't say? Additionally, I've written many songs about leading the aquatic life, one way or another. The song “Sailing” was inspired from the days I would go sailing with my dad on his boat, the “Lilly M” (named after my mom) first off of City Island, then later at Nyack, N.Y. as well as sailing off Key West. “Liveaboard” was written for those who live on their boats. “Yippie Cayo Hueso” a celebration of living in Key West and getting out on the water. Over the years there have been Chatham Harbor and“ Stage Harbor in Chatham, Cape Cod, Dinner Key, Key Biscayne Yacht Club, The Gables Waterway, Crandon Marina, Blackpoint Marina, all in greater Miami. Down here in the Keys there was Gilbert's in Key Largo, Smuggler's Cove in Islamorada, Sombrero Marina in Marathon, plus Key West Bight and Garrison Bight here in Key West and Stock Island Village Marina and Safe Harbor on Stock Island. So it's overdue.







“Yeah, A Harbor” is one of my newest songs. Basically, it's about the day to day living at a harbor, the comings and goings, the good and the sad. Adventurers, fishing, deck hands, a beautiful woman, harbor scenes. The interesting thing is that it's getting the same reaction from people left and right.

“I love that song! That song makes me feel like I'm right there”.

It's so good to hear, and hearing from one person is always gratifying! It makes one feel so grateful! But when the same statement comes from people every time I play it, it leaves me kind of speechless.

The song is currently in recording production with producer Ian Shaw.

Here's a live version with The Shanty Hounds.





Note here: In the third verse, I mention "Captain marlin knows how to rock. Captain Marlin is an actual captain here in Key West. You can find him on his Fish Monster Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/fishmonstermagazine/


“YEAH, A HARBOR”

1

SOME OF THE BEST TIMES OF MY LIFE I SPENT IN HARBOURS

BREATHING SALT AIR AND THE FRAGRENCE OF THE SEA

BOATS ROCKING TO THE RHYTHM OF THE TIDES AND BREEZE

YEAH THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT A HARBOR

2

LAND'S END USED TO BE THE OLD SHRIMP DOCKS

'ROUND THE CORNER YOU'LL FIND THE BAIT SHOP

SOME SALTY DOGS WITH THREE DAY BEARDS DRINKIN' BEER

CAUSE THEY REALLY DON'T GIVE A ….

(bridge)

SOMETHING ABOUT A HARBOR, GATEWAY TO THE SEA,

LEADS TO MORE PORTS OF CALL AND MY  BEST MEMORIES


3

A FISHING BOAT SHE'S LOADED TO THE GILLS

BUSY DAY OUT TRAWLING QUITE A THRILL

DOLPHIN, TUNA, AND WAHOO BEING FILLETED ON THE DOCK

YEAH, CAPTAIN MARLIN KNOWS HOW TO ROCK

4

SAILBOAT ROLLS IN FROM THE BVI

ST. JOHN'S BEER AND PUSSER'S RUM LAST NIGHT

TALES OF STORMS AND CLOSE CALLS TOO CLOSE TO MEET THE EYE

YOU KNOW WE ALL LAUGHED, BUT THEN WE SIGHED

(bridge)

SOMETHING ABOUT A HARBOR, GATEWAY TO THE SEA,

LEADS TO MORE PORTS OF CALL AND MY BEST MEMORIES


(coda)

'CAUSE SOME DON'T MAKE IT AND THEY DIE

DAMN GOOD PEOPLE, THE REST OF US CRY

WE HANG OUT AT THE BARNICLE BAR AND TOAST 'EM HIGH

IT'S OUR WAY OF LIFE

5

SUNRISE, I'M UP EARLY IN THE MORNING

NEIGHBOR COREEN SHE SHOWERS ON HER BOW

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL WAY TO START THE DAY, I'M THINKIN' 'BOUT NOW

YEAH, THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT A HARBOR


(bridge)

SOMETHING ABOUT A HARBOR, GATEWAY TO THE SEA,

LEADS TO MORE PORTS OF CALL AND MY BEST MEMORIES


SOMETHING ABOUT A HARBOR, GATEWAY TO THE SEA,

LEADS TO MORE PORTS OF CALL AND MY BEST MEMORIES


LEADS TO MORE PORTS OF CALL AND MY BEST MEMORIES


YEAH SOMETHING ABOUT A HARBOR AND ME

© 6/7/2016 by Christopher R. Rehm BMI



What I'm doing in order to finance the recordings, is selling the songs as they are completed. The Album's name is “Jump Into de Fi-Ya!!!” and the first song, “Island Blue”, sung by Misty Loggins for me, is available now for download! It's only a buck... actually, less at $ .99. The finished album will have ten songs, so the cost will be the same, only you get the songs as they are completed! Here's the links for “Island Blue”.


Thanks for reading the blog and for those of you who purchase the son a very big THANK YOU!!!

All the Best From Key West!

Key West Chris Rehm




Thank you for reading my blog! 

Please check out my book "Time Traveler - The Oddities and Adventures of a Key West Bartender". Follow Mark Straight's continuing journies and friendships from current Key West, back to historical Key West and elsewhere!

 Order paperback or download here! Paperback comes with a free download!

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Also, my first book, Bar Stories, is now available in paperback!


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