Frees' early radio career was cut short when he was drafted into World War II where he was at Normandy on D-Day. He was wounded in action and was returned to the United States for a year of recuperation. He attended the Chouinard Art Institute under the G.I. Bill. His first wife's failing health forced him to drop out and return to radio work. He appeared frequently on such Hollywood radio series, including Escape, playing lead roles and alternating with William Conrad as the opening voice, Suspense as the opening announcer in the late 1940s, and parts on Gunsmoke and Crime Classics. One of his few starring roles in this medium was as Jethro Dumont in the 1949 series The Green Lama, as well as a syndicated anthology series The Player, in which Frees narrated and played all of the parts.
Frees was often called upon in the 1950s and 1960s to "re-loop" the dialogue of other actors, often to correct for foreign accents, lack of English proficiency, or poor line readings by non-professionals. These dubs extended from a few lines to entire roles. This can be noticed rather clearly in the film Midway where Frees reads for Toshiro Mifune's performance as Admiral Yamamoto. Frees also dubbed the entire role of Eddie in the Disney film The Ugly Dachshund, replacing actor Dick Wessel, who had died of a sudden heart attack after completion of principal photography.
Unlike many voice actors who did most of their work for one studio, Frees spent much of his career working with at least nine of the major animation production companies of the 20th century: Walt Disney Studios, Walter Lantz Studios, UPA, Hanna-Barbera, Filmation, MGM Studios, DePatie-Freleng Enterprises, Jay Ward Productions and Rankin/Bass. For example, he voiced John Lennon and George Harrison in The Beatles' Saturday morning cartoon.
Frees was active until his sudden death at 66 from heart failure on November 2, 1986. He was living in Tiburon, California at the time. His ashes were scattered at sea.
There had been homages to him done by voice actor Corey Burton who happened to have matched the voices he used for some characters
Yo Ho
Paul Frees Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We pillage plunder, we rifle and loot.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
We kidnap and ravage and don't give a hoot.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.
We extort and pilfer, we filch and sack.
Maraud and embezzle and even highjack.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.
We kindle and char and in flame and ignite.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
We burn up the city, we're really a fright.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
We're rascals and scoundrels, we're villains and knaves.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
We're devils and black sheep, we're really bad eggs.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
We're beggars and blighters and ne'er do-well cads,
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
Aye, but we're loved by our mommies and dads,
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.
The song "Yo Ho" by Paul Frees, which is also known as "A Pirate's Life for Me," was first created in 1967, and it became an instant classic among the Disneyland Pirates of the Caribbean attraction enthusiasts. It portrays the life of a pirate as a harsh and brutal one, full of pillaging, plundering, burning, and all sorts of criminal activities. The song, however, depicts the lifestyle in a way that is fun, upbeat, and enticing to many people.
The lyrics of the "Yo Ho" song describe how pirates lived their lives, taking whatever they want without any regard for other people's feelings. The first verse, for instance, portrays pirates as plunderers, looters, and kidnappers who ravage their victims without a care. The second verse is about how pirates extort, pilfer, and filch, and sometimes even hijack the vessels they come across. The final verse describes pirates as arsonists who set fire to cities and cause destruction. Despite all these criminal activities, the chorus urges everyone to enjoy life, drink up, and sing together.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.
Hooray and cheers, we're pirates and proud of it!
We pillage plunder, we rifle and loot.
We steal precious things and treasure, leaving nothing behind.
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
Cheers to our fellow pirates, let's celebrate and drink!
We kidnap and ravage and don't give a hoot.
We take people by force and do terrible things to them without remorse or concern.
We extort and pilfer, we filch and sack.
We demand money and goods from people, and steal from them without shame.
Maraud and embezzle and even highjack.
We raid and steal with violence, and even take control of ships and planes by force.
We kindle and char and in flame and ignite.
We set things on fire, burning and destroying everything in our path.
We burn up the city, we're really a fright.
We terrorize urban areas, causing chaos and destruction.
We're rascals and scoundrels, we're villains and knaves.
We're dishonest, mischievous, and wicked, with no regard for others.
We're devils and black sheep, we're really bad eggs.
We're evil, sinful, and corrupt, with no redeeming qualities.
We're beggars and blighters and ne'er do-well cads,
We're poor, dirty and uneducated, with little respect for authority.
Aye, but we're loved by our mommies and dads,
Despite our numerous flaws and misdeeds, our parents still love us unconditionally.
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.
Once again, cheers and hooray for our pirate lifestyle!
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Xavier Atencio, George Edward Bruns
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind