Yaar, mateys! These here be the tunes upon that new album, Battle Songs of the Toucan Pirates! Each tune tells a part of the tale of the Toucan Pirates' second journey. From Cork to the Caribbean, from the port of Cadiz to the New World, the Toucan Pirates swashbuckle their way across the Atlantic and back again, accompanied by traditional Irish music!

Part One

1) Ships Are Sailing / Far From Home

The Blistered Beak, six days out from the Irish port town of Cork, plies the Eastern Atlantic en route to Spain, the isles of the Caribbean, and the New World.

2) The Lilting Fisherman

The pirate crew gets their first taste of battle as they attack and plunder a small packet barque, making off with stores of sugar, cocoa, and tobacco.

3) Jack A Tar

Life aboard a pirate ship is not all plunder and drink. The crew must keep their vessel ship-shape, by caulking the deck, splicing the rigging lines, and keeping the cannons oiled and shot-ready.

4) Pigeon on the Mast

A squall blows up from the west; the crew makes the ship fast as the wind picks up and the waves crash over the gunwales. The high seas sweep young Beaks Baugher, the second mate, overboard to a watery grave.

Part Two

5) The Staines Morris

Surviving the storm, the Blistered Beak drops anchor at the Spanish port town of Cadiz. While the crew resupplies the ship, Captain Redbeak makes his way to the merchant district, seeking information about the royal Spanish treasure fleet.

6) Colonel McBain

Captain Redbeak returns to the ship with promising information, whispered into his ear over flagons of Spanish wine by the mysterious Colonel McBain. "Make her ready, lads! We sail for Hispaniola on the tide!"

7) The Crow's Nest / Blast of Wind

The lookout on the mainmast watches the Canary Islands dwindle and vanish as a brisk easterly wind drives the Blistered Beak westward towards the Caribbean and an uncertain fate.

8) Rakes of Kildare / The New Rigged Ship

"Sharpen your blades, boys! There sails a Spanish galleon, fat with gold for the plundering, just as the Colonel promised." The ships exchange cannon fire as the Blistered Beak closes to within grappling range. The pirates swarm over the bulwarks and engage the Spaniards in bloody hand-to-hand combat. Captain Redbeak takes the Spanish captain's head with a single stroke of his cutlass and throws his headless torso to the sharks.

9) The Groves of Blackpool

The Spanish crew fights bravely, but are no match for the bloodthirsty pirates. The treasure is theirs, but not without cost, for three of their comrades have been killed and will never count their share of the plunder.

Part Three

10) Lockjaw / Blackberry Blossom

"Land Ho!" The shores of America beckon the battle-worn crew of Toucan Pirates. They make port and head straight for the nearest tavern where fine ale and the lively music of the colonies lifts their sea-weary spirits.

11) The Reconciliation

The beer-swozzled pirates can't believe their eyes when in through the tavern door walks Beaks Baugher, none the worse for his trip to Davy Jones' Locker. "Arr, boys, I thought I was a goner! But after the storm subsided, a crew of Finns pulled me from the sea and poured vodka down me gullet until I came to!"

12) The Scandy Set (Hans Brimi, Reinlander; Krakkuri; Pentis Schottische)

Leaving America behind them, the Blistered Beak sails for home across the Atlantic. Off the coast of Greenland, a ship appears on the horizon. As they draw near, Beaks suddenly exclaims, "It's them crazy Finns what pulled me from the drink!" The crews wave and cheer as the two ships pass.

13) The Secret Set (Kitty Gordon's, Drowsy Maggie, Star of Munster)

Returning to the British port of Bristol to spend their plundered loot, the Toucan Pirates spend the better part of a fortnight drinking, carousing, and telling raucous tales of their successful adventure.

14) Fortune My Foe

Unbeknownst to Captain Redbeak, Colonel McBain has denounced the crew as pirates, and two crewmen are seized by the authorities as they drink in the local pub. They are quickly tried and sentenced to hang for acts of piracy.

15) Hag at the Churn

In the town square, the unlucky pirates dangle lifelessly from the gallows. The pirate crew, angered by their betrayal at the hands of Colonel McBain, fly into a frenzy, setting off a wild pirate riot.

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