Day 23 — Share Your Music: 30 Days, 30 Songs
Ladies and gentlemen, I have had a change of heart about my song selection for Day 23 of the 30 Days, 30 Songs music challenge. I think we need a happy song. I’ve chosen Red Shirt Day by Seaman Dan. Seaman Dan wrote Red Shirt Day after overhearing a barmaid say that she wore red to cheer herself up when working on a Sunday.
Seaman Dan was born in 1929 on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait. Over his lifetime he has worked as a cattle hand, pearl diver and a ship’s captain, before giving all that up to become a recording star. Seaman Dan started his recording career at age 70. He has the distinction of being the oldest ARIA award winner. In March this year he was honoured at the Queensland Music Awards with the Grant McLennan Lifetime Achievement Award. He turns 90 years of age in August.
I first heard Seaman Dan perform at Canberra’s National Folk Festival in 2007. That was my first or second year attending the festival. Seaman Dan came and sang with our massed choir. It was so much fun and he was an absolute delight. Those were the days.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy his song. I’ve included two links in the hope that you can access at least one of them. The singing begins just before the 2 minute mark in the second clip.
The incredibly talented Sarah of Art Expedition is hosting 30 Days, 30 Songs for the month of June. You can see her latest post here. There are still a few days left to join in the challenge. Casual players welcome.
Kind Regards.
Tracy
Information sourced from The Deadly Vibe.
Reflections of An Untidy Mind 
After 3 days of desperately needed rain, the sun shines again…definitely a red shirt day here! Loved this song, thanks for sharing.
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That is so nice. Send some rain to us.
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Will do my best!
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That’s awesome. ❤
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🙂
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Seaman Dan has a young and soulful voice. I’m thrilled that he began his newest career at age 70 – I’m 70, and hoping to finally get my books published. Red shirt day for me too!
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🙂 ❤ I hope you get your books published too, Sharon. I will wear a red shirt when that happens. 🙂 Never too old. Seaman Dan has such a positive vibe, which I'm sure must account for his long, happy life.
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BTW, I was able to listen to both videos.
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A great song in the style of the old crooners. Love that ?clarinet solo. Very enjoyable, thanks Tracy.
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Yes, clarinet, and it complemented the song so beautifully. 🙂
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Thanks for sharing this. He’s gorgeous! I think there was a segment on him on the ABC a while back?
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I think he was on the Music Show (Andrew Ford) and also a couple of years later he was interviewed by NITV (aka SBS). 🙂
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Yes I think I saw the NITV program.
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I must watch it again.
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Love this! Perfect for a Summer playlist.
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Put it on repeat. 🙂
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Another song and singer I was unaware of! Thanks Tracy; I love this.
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A good song to cheer us all up. 🙂
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🙂 definitely.
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After listening to the song, I’m going to take Dan’s advice and make today a Red Shirt Day!
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Hello Liz, thanks for visiting. I’ve seen your comments on Sarah’s page. I hope you have a happy Red Shirt Day and that it makes you think of Dan’s song. He would like enjoy that too, I think. 🙂
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I did have a Red Shirt Day today, thank you!
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🙂
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What a wonderful singer this Seaman Dan! Thanks for introducing him to me, Tracy! I could listen to both songs and enjoyed his crooning voice. 😊 How awesome that he started his new career in his 70’s! 😄
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And still going strong. That island life must really agree with him.
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