The Story of The Captain

The Story of “The Captain.”

The Captain is a deeply personal song written by my sister, Karolyn K. Gaines of Gooding, Idaho. Written in 1997 and included on the 2001 Alika Music CD release The Captain, this song uses the powerful metaphor of the sea to tell a story of struggle, addiction, and ultimately, recovery.

Drawing from her own journey through alcoholism, Karolyn crafted lyrics that reflect the isolation and fear of being lost in a storm—both literally and figuratively. The words “weathered and weary, dazed and confused, out here looking for answers, sailing on a prayer” express the desperate search for hope and help when it feels like no one is listening.

BUY NOW

BUY NOW

One of the most striking lines—“Can you hear me, are you there? GALE WINDS got me terrified, does anybody care?”—captures the raw vulnerability of someone crying out in the midst of a terrifying battle.

The turning point in the song comes with the Captain’s voice admitting, “Oh Master, this is the Captain, I’ve been steering this old ship wrong, tell me are you out there? Think I’m lost in a storm.” It’s a moment of surrender and faith, acknowledging that in the darkest times, the only place to turn is to God.

With the brilliant arrangement and production by Greg Hansen and the masterful acoustic guitar work of Michael Dowdle, this song brings to life the emotional depth of Karolyn’s story.

The Captain is a message of hope: a reminder that even in the fiercest storms, a safe harbor is never too far away, recovery is possible—and you’re never truly alone.

The lyrics “weathered and weary, dazed and confused, in distress, out here looking for answers sailing on a prayer. My vessel is drifting, waves are crashing down, and my radio signals, is anybody there at all,” indicates how alone one feels when they are trapped in a downward spiral and it seems there is no where to turn.

The one line in the song that people miss is “Can you hear me, are you there, GALE WINDS got me terrified, does anybody care?” is the definitive description of the situation.

Then the Captain says “Oh Master this is the Captain, I’ve been steering this old ship wrong, tell me are you out there, think I’m lost in a storm.” Finally the realization that you have to call out to God for help, there is no one else there except you and Him, and big storm.

BUY NOW

I’m just not sure anyone else could have really captured the essence of the story and the struggle as Greg Hansen did. His arrangement and production bring a profound emotional depth and authenticity that perfectly complement the song’s powerful narrative. He definitely created the musical feel that makes the song so unique—balancing raw vulnerability with a sense of hope, making every note and phrase resonate deeply with the listener.

2021 represented the 20th year of the release of the CD “The Captain” with a new Platinum Anniversary edition released to celebrate.

James F Wright.