Album: Pirates

Manchester, New Hampshire, musician Mike Skinner has just released “Pirates,” his second full-length album. “I see “Pirates” as a triumph of the spirit,” the guitarist said. “Despite adversity, You can get through life’s trials. I have found many folks who may not be on the exact same journey as me but are willing travelers.

The ten songs that comprise the acoustic pop sounds of “Pirates” still address angst and accountability, love and loss, but anger is replaced by a degree of acceptance. Skinner sings in the title cut: “A sturdy ship from those at hand will help your passage, Deliver you to a new land…Position your ship so that the sun shines in their faces.”

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Listen to Samples of the Album

Listen to album tracks, buy individual songs or the entire album at CDBaby

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

“Great Spirit, help me never to judge another until I have walked in his moccasins.”

Sioux Indian Prayer

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

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 they 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

Listen to album tracks, buy individual songs or the entire album at CDBaby

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

Listen to album tracks, buy individual songs or the entire album at CDBaby