“Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.” African Proverb
PIRATES is the self-titled track from my second musical CD, and I find it interesting, the simple act of my efforts to write a short blog piece on a song of mine are anything but simple. The process started well over two hours ago and I am finally typing in some words…There has been a lot of avoidance with my attempts to share the thoughts of why a song was written.
My mind has done a number of mental gymnastics in keeping the peace as this writing endeavor takes shape. Let’s see, I have made the bed, did some dusting, decided to have breakfast first..and oh, then I needed to wash the dishes. And there has been some reading of articles and responding to e-mails in my efforts, to procrastinate and gird myself, for the not-so-buried treasure trove of memories and feelings that are my constant companions.
Coupled with the swirling confusion of dissociation that is taking hold…well, I know, this song has deep feelings and meaning. C’est la vie…
Trauma, abuse and losses are the ‘gifts that keep on giving‘…and that is what this song is about, the losses and the hurts of life.
Pirates in real life are anything but the romanticized versions that are in some movies and books. Pirates have robbed, maimed, terrorized, enslaved, kidnapped and killed throughout history, there is nothing funny, romantic or glorious about that.
At some point in time, we all have to face the pirates of our lives – trauma, abuse, ill health, loss, death, divorce, to name a few…what have they taken from you? And what do we do when this happens? For myself, I harbor no illusions about the significant hurts and losses in my life, they trouble me to this day. I have worked long and hard on my healing journey, to recover from the aftermath of the attacks of the pirates in my life; even when my, “crew has abandoned the sails”, I have still persevered and carried on.
“Life provides the wind. You control the direction of the sail.” Unknown
I have never wanted to succumb to the assaults that have taken place in my life and that is how and why this came to be written…I’ve always gotten back up and I have been amazed at the amount of people throughout history, who do this day in and day out. There have been and continue to be, tragic stories of pain, suffering and loss, and still the incredible courage of the human spirit lingers on, even when down to only a small whisper of a flame. A gentle breeze can soon reignite the spark of life to carry on. We may be bruised, battered and bent, but never fully broken. Life can be unfair and so damn hard, but there is beauty and grace in the world.
And that is what this song is about, for me. Songs are best interpreted, for what suits the listener…and I hope that my songs touch folks in a way that is special to them. My meaning does not have to be yours…as a songwriter, my only concern, I want to write something that touches your heart, mind and spirit. I want to connect with you.
At the end of the day, despite the travails of life and what you may be experiencing, I hope and I pray that you can find and, “feel the wind and the waves, at your hand”, for your life’s journey.
Please, find the way, to the port you wish to sail into, for safety and serenity, wherever that may be…you deserve it.
Take care, Michael Skinner
Song Lyrics – see below
Musicians for this tune – Chris Schindler, bass guitar, Kelly Ann McCann, vocals, Michael Skinner, guitars and vocals
PIRATES – CD & Press Release
For your listening pleasure – a two minute sample clip, please scroll down to Track # 4
To hear the song in its entirety, scroll down to – 2010 Interviews
1. Englands Banburyshire Brolly Radio Show
To purchase the CD or individual tracks, MP3’s – CD Baby or I-Tunes
Your thoughts or a song that has touched your soul; contact me
“PIRATES” © Michael Skinner
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
CHORUS
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 face
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
CHORUS
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 face
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
“Raise your sail one foot and you get ten feet of wind.” Chinese Proverb
