Coyote
Ben Bridwell Lyrics
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What have they done?
My little brother, where
Where do you run?
They strychinined the mountains
They strychinined the plains
My little brother, the coyote
When you hear him singing
The few that are left
He's warning the human race
Of his death
Don't poison the mesas
Don't poison the sky
Or you won't be back
Little brother, goodbye
There will be no one to listen
And no one to sing
And never and never
Will there be spring
Coyot', Coyotee
What have they done?
My little brother, where
Where do you run?
The song "Coyote" by Ben Bridwell is a poignant tribute to the coyotes that are being increasingly subjected to human cruelty, specifically being poisoned. The song mournfully addresses the issue, expressing the grief and loss that results from this heartbreaking practice.
The song opens with the singer calling out to the coyote - "Coyot', coyotee, what have they done? My little brother, where do you run?" The repetition of these lines intensifies the urgency and desperation in the situation. The second verse speaks of the use of strychnine, a poison used to kill coyotes, in the mountains and plains. The singer laments the loss of his little brother, the coyote, who won't return.
The chorus emphasizes the importance of these animals, even if there are only a few left. The coyote's singing warns humans of his impending demise, but the plea seems to be falling on deaf ears. The song ends with a forlorn image of a world without spring, where there will be no one to sing or listen, all because of the tragic loss of the coyote.
Overall, "Coyote" speaks to the environmental impact and destruction humans can unintentionally cause. It reminds us to protect these animals and preserve the natural world as it's essential to our existence.
Line by Line Meaning
Coyot', Coyotee
Addressing the coyote as an important animal figure
What have they done?
Expressing distress about the destruction of the coyote's habitat
My little brother, where
Where do you run?
Wondering where the coyote has gone after being poisoned
They strychinined the mountains
They strychinined the plains
Referring to the use of the poisonous substance strychnine to kill coyotes and other predators
My little brother, the coyote
Won't come back again
Acknowledging that the coyote will not return after being killed by the poison
When you hear him singing
The few that are left
He's warning the human race
Of his death
Suggesting that the few remaining coyotes are warning humans about the dangers of their actions
Don't poison the mesas
Don't poison the sky
Or you won't be back
Little brother, goodbye
Urging humans to stop poisoning the environment or face the consequences of losing the coyote
There will be no one to listen
And no one to sing
And never and never
Will there be spring
Mourning the loss of the coyote and its impact on the natural world
Coyot', Coyotee
What have they done?
My little brother, where
Where do you run?
Repeating the opening lines to emphasize the devastation caused by human actions
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: PETER LAFARGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind