The Music

The Music

You can hear snippets of all the songs off of PIRATES & Train of Tears at CDBABY.COM and many other sites - a listing to follow. And please note that you can also download them via I-Tunes, Napster, Rhapsody, etc, etc. Thank you.

Waitin' For A Train/The Music

1. Songs For the Keys To Your Life

2. Donna Smile

3. The Warrior

4. The 9:30 Train

5. Downtown Mood

6. Joy

7. Waitin' For A Train

8. If I Could Love You

9. Maureen

10. Long Time

11. TV News Blues

12. Lonely Hearts Club Lounge

13. Brush Away Your Tears

14. Wishin' Well

15. Stand By Me

16. The Warrior (Train Demo - Rec. England)

17. Immigrant (Train Demo - Rec. England)

18. Rambling Hustler (Train Demo - Rec. Boston)

19. Nineteen (Train Demo - Rec. Boston)

CLICK EACH IMAGE BELOW TO ENLARGE
DETAILS FOR LYRICS, CREDITS, ETC.

Train of Tears/The Music

1. Knockin' on Heaven's Door:

A great song by a great songwriter. This song was used in the movie, "Heaven's Gate", a great movie, but a sad movie. The oppression of others by those in power, and of one man trying to do the right thing. The artwork, courtesy of Megan Skinner, who along with Danielle, Melissa, Michelle and Alisa, helped bring a piece of Heaven into my life.

2. Find my Dreams:

Well I've accomplished one of them. I have been a professional drummer most of my life, but I always wanted to play guitar and sing. Dreams can come true.

3. Katrina:

Based on a real person I oncemet. I feel the lyrics express my thoughts on the Katrinas of the world.

4. Not the One:

A song five years in the making. The loss of childhood friends due to mental illness and the betrayal and subsequent divorce from Hell, was overwhelming.

5. Stand By Me:

Another great song, which help me to thank all of those who stuck with me, who did not give up on me, who still believed in me. If we measured success by the amount of friends one has, then I am truly one of the wealthiest people around. I thank you all, God Bless.

6. Sad Song:

Once upon a time, a father sat with his three youngest children. They asked him why he was so sad. He couldn't answer them, so he went to his room and picked up his guitar. Sometimes words can't convey what is in one's heart. He never wanted his pain to give them pain.

7. Walk with me:

When you look at me, what do you see
Have you judged me by the lack of a smile
But come with me, step into my shoes
Can you walk with me for one mile
Then perhaps you'd see, another part of me
I'm also a man who likes to sing
I too have hopes, hopes and dreams
To be more than what you labeled me

So open up your eyes, clean out your ears
Learn to listen, listen to learn, and then you'll hear
And then you can get past your stigma and fears
Of what has caused you to treat me so callously

Can you take a chance, can you try to understand
That I'm still a man, who has some plans
Who falls to his knees, from agony
That can cripple me, But it's only a small part of me

I'm not a child to be patronized
With all your fake smiles
I too have hopes, hopes and dreams
To be more than what you have labeled me

Your prejudice and fears, are quite clear to me
And no double talk hides that fear from me
Intelligence and insight, still resides in me
So come down from your throne, throw off the robe
That gives you such abusive power and control
Can you sit with me, can we talk for a while
Do you think you could walk in my shoes a mile

I'm not impressed with your titles and degrees
Compassion and understanding do more for me
Can you show me, show me your humanity
Instead of talking down to me
Can you sit with me, can we talk awhile
And then I know you could see me smile
And then I know you could see me smile
And then I know you could see me smile

8. If I Were a Carpenter:

I have always loved this song. Can we accept each other for who we are?

9. Train of Tears:

The journey of life is sometimes difficult.

10. Why?

A song that I wrote many, many years ago but could not finish because I did not want to deal with it.

11. Love Again....

The promise of knowing love again is still a good thing.

12. Deaf, Dumb, and Blind:

I am still angry by the reluctance of so many to acknowledge how serious and harmful child abuse is. I used to see a bumper sticker saying "It shouldn't hurt to be a child." I agree.

Sometimes it's hard to write what's in my head
Sometimes it doesn't get put to the page
But what is in there now contains, it contains a lot of rage

I've been growing, thinking of love, and the life
But I have to tell you now, part of me still wants to fight
I know there's more good, for all the world to see
But the horror, the trauma, the damage of children
Still....still is haunting me

Like a discordant note, cursing through your veins
Like the feel of a knife, stuck into your back
Across the school board so black
The sound is still haunting me

I know some day, I've got pretty songs to write
The power of love, I know some day I'll write
But for now the sound of broken children
Still enrages me

Someday I'll change this chord
To a chord, a sound so bright
But for now the sounds of haunting
Will still be my friend at night

Did you ever wonder why
When you look into their eyes
And listen to their cries
Did you ever wonder why
When you listen to them cry
How could you be so Deaf, Dumb and Blind

Greetings,

Please know that the music is posted for your listening pleasure while perusing the website and to help in deciding whether or not to purchase the CDs or tapes.

If you decide to "burn" your own CD, please consider sending me a dollar for each song that you copy. It takes a lot of effort, resources, and time to record and manufacture the CDs and tapes, and also in maintaining the website.

Something to think about, if you are burning CDs: a free cd I wouldn't mind sharing would be to make a copy to give to the next homeless person you see, or give one to the local "Drop-in-Center", or one to a friend or relative who you know has been abused as a child, a teen, an adult, or someone dealing with mental illness concerns. This cd or tape would be a gift from you and from me to someone who could use a little gesture of caring and kindness.

Thanks, Mike

Five Songs from the new CD album:

"Pirates"

to order go to Contact and Orders

1. Pirates:

Walking down to the dock of the bay
Just take care in selecting you ship, moored at the quay
A sturdy ship from those at hand will help your passage
Deliver you to a new land
Before you set sail, remember why you chose to leave this place
Changing your mind in a storm- tossed sea
Keeps you floundering upon that misery sea

Taking shots from a cannonade
High seas pirates chasing your sails
Throw your caution to the wind
Position your ship so the sun shines in their faces
And though your crew has abandoned the sails
I can still feel the wind and the waves at your hand
And though your crew has abandoned the sails
I can still feel the wind and the waves at your hand, at your hand

Before you set sail remember why you chose to leave this place

2. Middle Child:

So long ago, it was told to me
I've got my own life to lead
So few words and what they meant to me
You were gone and left me to be

I look at your pictures, I hold back the tears
So many memories from seventeen years
Middle child, what you meant to me
I still hear your laughter, in my dreams

But a storm was raging it was coming on strong

And my walls couldn't hold back, yesterday's wrongs
No, my walls just couldn't hold back
Yesterday's wrongs

Never to hold you, anymore,
Did I lose you in the storm?
Tried so hard, throughout those years
To keep you from harm, the sins of my fears

Middle child, and what you meant to me
And all I have now is fading memories
They say if you love someone, just let them go
And if you love you, you will know
But you didn't come back, so now I know
Your silence speaks volumes, and now I know

But a storm was raging it was coming on strong
And all my walls couldn't hold back, yesterday's wrongs
No, my walls just couldn't hold back, yesterday's wrongs
No, my walls couldn't hold back, hold back that storm....oh no

Middle child and what you meant to me
And all I have now
Is fading memories

3. Feel Like a Man:

I love to see you when you walk in the room
I love the feelings when I'm holding your hand
I love those feelings just watching you smile
Yeah these feelings they can't be denied
Just holding you makes me feel so alive
Holding you makes me feel like a man

It's such a wonder when I'm touching your hair
I love the feelings when I'm holding your hand
To reach across just to touch your face
It brings me to my own special place
It brings me to my own special place

When I'm with you, feel so alive
Feel so strong, by your side
Loving you, feels so right
Feel so alive, by your side

I love to watch you at the breaking of dawn
I want to be with you when the sun's going down
I love those feelings just holding your hand
A special feeling makes me feel like a man
A special feeling makes me feel like a man

I love to see you when you walk in the room
I love those feelings when I'm holding your hand
I love those feelings just watching you smile
Yeah these feeling they can't be denied
Just holding you makes me feel so alive

Feel so alive, holding your hand
Feel so alive, holding your hand
Feel like a man, holding your hand
Feel like a man, holding your hand
Holding you hand, holding your hand
Feel like a man

4. Black Rain:

5. Dear Child:

Dear Child, I want you to know
Not a day goes by, that my thoughts aren't with you
I hope and I pray, things for you are fine
Though the years have kept us apart, still your spirit shines
Despite the many miles, you're a beacon, a light of fate
That taught this lonely man, how to love not hate

For that gift from you, is always mine
And for that gift girl, I know someday you'll shine
I want you to believe in love, that's the only thing that's true
For when you believe in love, all things come shining through

Life will take you down many twists and curves
It's up to you and what you'll choose
This is how you'll learn
What we do to one another is measured in the sands of time
They will measure, measure if we're true
Are we being good to others and do we help them shine

I want you to believe in love, that's the only thing that's true
For when you believe in love, all things come shining through
Always believe in love, Always hold out your hand
To those less fortunate, let them take your hand

I hope and I pray for you, that you follow your dreams
Always be that beacon of light
And then dear girl you'll find your dreams, your heart will let you know
Pursue it with all of your might
And if you stray from the course, please child, know it's alright
Life's a hard teacher but we can always learn

If we open our eyes, if we open our eyes
ooh…… We can always learn if we open our eyes -
ooh…….We Can always learn if we open our eyes
It's in your heart to do what's right, so open your eyes
Oooh, oooh,

Take care to listen, to the words of man
Their actions speak louder and from that you can depend
Always listen to your heart, not the words of hate
And you'll help to make this world a better place

Dear child, I just wanted you to know
It's my love for you that helps to keep me strong

Waiting for a Train

Here's a rough mix of some of the new tunes - still to add in keyboards, drums, other vocal parts, etc. Stay tuned!!!!