The Story of “The Captain.”
The song was originally written and recorded in 1997 and included on the 2001 Alika Music CD release of “The Captain.” My sister Karolyn K Gaines of Gooding Idaho experienced and wrote the beautiful, unique song using the analogy of the sea, based on her own experiences of addiction and recovery from alcoholism. Karolyn asked me to record it and eventually it found its way to the CD by the same name for the 2001 release.
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.
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.
I don’t know if I have ever heard or experienced a song quite like “The Captain” That is what makes it so special, with the analogy of the sea, my sister wrote it about her own experiences to give people hope. She weathered the storm, and I know others can too.
Greg Hansen, the great arranger and composer, arranged and produced this song. I’m just not sure anyone else could have really captured the essence of the story and the struggle as Greg did. He definitely created the musical feel that makes the song so unique. Master guitarist Michael Dowdle added acoustic guitar.
2021 represents the 20th year of the release of the CD “The Captain” and a new Platinum Anniversary edition released to celebrate.
James F Wright
Words & Music by Karolyn Kay Gaines©1997-2021 All Rights Reserved.