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Shanghaied

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Lyrics & ChordsClick chords to see diagrams

EI've played around in China town pAassing the time aEway
When BAlack Jack Red hit me in the hEead
And wAhen I woke up next dEay
I wAas many miles aEway
EI was shanghaied on an ocAean freiEghter
I was shanghaied eAating beans and taEters
I was shanghaied on an ocAean freiEghter
And I wAanna get back to sEhore
                       A      E|  E|  E|  F|  F|
Back to the Gold Coast shore
FThey throwed me off in old Hong Kong and Bbput me on my oFwn
Not a peBbnny in my poFckets 
Ten thBbousand miles from hFome
And tBbhat's a mighty long way from hFome
FI was shanghaied in Bbold Hong Kong
I was shFanghaied I was Bball alFone
I was shanghaied I wanna Bbget back hFome
BbBack to the Gold Coast sFhore
                      Bb      F|  F|  F|  F|  F#|  F#|
Back to the Gold Coast shore
F#I worked for grub on an old Dutch tub and wBound up in F#LA
Where a prBetty little girl tF#ook me on a whirl
And wBhen I woke up next dF#ay
BWhen I woke up next F#day
F#I was shanghaied for the rBest of my lF#ife
I was shanghaied but tBhat's alrF#ight
I was shanghaied I got a prBetty little wF#ife
And I'm nBever leaving home no mF#ore
                          B     F#|  F#|  F#|  F#|
I'm never leaving home no more 

All chords in this song (6)

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Shanghaied

by Mel Tillis

Lyrics & chords · Original key

Chords in this song · guitar

E A E

I've played around in China town passing the time away

A E

When Black Jack Red hit me in the head

A E

And when I woke up next day

A E

I was many miles away

E A E

I was shanghaied on an ocean freighter

A E

I was shanghaied eating beans and taters

A E

I was shanghaied on an ocean freighter

A E

And I wanna get back to shore

A E E E F F

| | | | |

Back to the Gold Coast shore

F Bb F

They throwed me off in old Hong Kong and put me on my own

Bb F

Not a penny in my pockets

Bb F

Ten thousand miles from home

Bb F

And that's a mighty long way from home

F Bb

I was shanghaied in old Hong Kong

F Bb F

I was shanghaied I was all alone

Bb F

I was shanghaied I wanna get back home

Bb F

Back to the Gold Coast shore

Bb F F F F F# F#

| | | | | |

Back to the Gold Coast shore

F# B F#

I worked for grub on an old Dutch tub and wound up in LA

B F#

Where a pretty little girl took me on a whirl

B F#

And when I woke up next day

B F#

When I woke up next day

F# B F#

I was shanghaied for the rest of my life

B F#

I was shanghaied but that's alright

B F#

I was shanghaied I got a pretty little wife

B F#

And I'm never leaving home no more

B F# F# F# F#

| | | |

I'm never leaving home no more

About Shanghaied Chords by Mel Tillis

Learn how to play Shanghaied by Mel Tillis with free guitar chords, lyrics, and interactive chord diagrams. Search for “Shanghaied chords”, “Shanghaied guitar chords”, or “Mel Tillis Shanghaied chords” and you will find this page — transpose to any key, tap chords for diagrams, and use auto-scroll while you play. Perfect for beginners looking for easy Shanghaied chords and for experienced players who want accurate Shanghaied lyrics and chords in one place. Common chords in this song include E, A, F, Bb, F#, B.

FAQ — Shanghaied by Mel Tillis

How do I play "Shanghaied" by Mel Tillis on guitar?

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Can I transpose "Shanghaied" to a different key?

Yes. Use the transpose buttons on the song page to shift "Shanghaied" up or down by half-steps so it matches your vocal range or capo position.

Can I see chord diagrams for "Shanghaied"?

Yes. Tap any chord in "Shanghaied" to instantly see an interactive guitar chord diagram with alternate fingerings.

Is "Shanghaied" easy to play on guitar?

Many players learn "Shanghaied" by Mel Tillis with our free chords. Use transpose and chord diagrams to simplify tricky shapes, and browse related songs by Mel Tillis below.

What key is "Shanghaied" in?

The chords for "Shanghaied" show the original chord names (including E, A, F, Bb, F#, B). Use transpose to move the song into any key that fits your voice or capo.