Coyote Song
Bright Eyes Lyrics
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I can do it in my sleep
I dream of you so often
It's like you never leave
But you're gone below the border
With a nightmare in between
I'm sending the coyote
To bring you back to me
Where there's a fancy hotel waiting
In south San Gabriel
Where the movie madams sunbathe
The playboys para-sail
And I know you think I'm crazy
But most people they can't tell
So I'll meet you there tomorrow
If I can have you to myself
Inside the time I tried to occupy or waste
Since you've been away
It's hard our plans are stalled on calling cards
I can't see your poker face
While your voice is sounding so brave
Our Lady Guadalupe
In plaster on the wall
Joseph Smith saw Jesus in America
Well I don't know much about it
It doesn't matter much at all
Just keep your head down lady
As you travel through the dark
And if I should seem distracted
By the color of the sky
As a copper wire sunset plays a lullaby
It's just to know they've stolen
Another day from you and I
It gets me feeling low down
When the moon is fulling high
They bait the route
To take the place that's safe
That you might wait a day
A lonesome broken dawn
That finally comes
Just as I was losing faith
You keep every promise you make
Loving you is easy
I can do it in my sleep
I dream of you so often
It's like you never leave
But you're gone below the border
With a nightmare in between
So I'm sending the coyote
To bring you back to me
Yes I'm sending the coyote
To bring you back to me
The lyrics to Bright Eyes' "Coyote Song" tells the story of a separated couple - one person is left behind while the other is below the border dealing with some kind of nightmare. The singer of the song dreams so often of the other person, it feels like they never truly leave. He sends a coyote to bring back his significant other, expressing that loving this person is easy and he can do it in his sleep. The lyrics could be interpreted as a metaphor for the emotional distance that often exists between couples when they are physically separated, and the longing and desperation that can come with it.
In the second verse, the singer describes a fancy hotel in south San Gabriel, where movie stars and wealthy people come to relax and play. He admits that he may seem crazy, but he plans to meet his love interest there to have her all to himself. The lyrics in this verse could also be interpreted as a commentary on the superficiality of fame and fortune, and how it can sometimes come between people who truly love each other.
The lyrics throughout the song are poignant and heartfelt, with poetic and vivid descriptions of love and longing. The song's melody and instrumentation add to the nostalgic and dreamy feeling of the lyrics. Overall, "Coyote Song" is a bittersweet reflection on love, distance, and the things we do for the people we love.
Line by Line Meaning
Loving you is easy
Expressing fondness for you does not require any effort
I can do it in my sleep
My subconscious mind is in love with you
I dream of you so often
You frequently appear in my dreams
It's like you never leave
Your absence has no effect on the frequency of my thoughts and dreams about you
But you're gone below the border
You have crossed the border, leaving me on the other side
With a nightmare in between
You left while I was in a state of distress or turmoil
I'm sending the coyote
I'm sending someone to retrieve you, even if that means using unconventional or unlawful methods
To bring you back to me
I want you back in my life
Where there's a fancy hotel waiting
I know the specific place you went to
In south San Gabriel
The location of the fancy hotel
Where the movie madams sunbathe
There are many people living frivolously, without concern for others
The playboys para-sail
There are many people living recklessly, without concern for others
And I know you think I'm crazy
You may not understand or agree with my actions
But most people they can't tell
Other people might not notice or understand my longing for you
So I'll meet you there tomorrow
I have a plan to reunite with you
If I can have you to myself
I want you all to myself, with no distractions or interference from others
Inside the time I tried to occupy or waste
During the time you were gone, I tried to keep myself busy or distracted
Since you've been away
In the period of time you were absent
It's hard our plans are stalled on calling cards
Our communication has been difficult to maintain
I can't see your poker face
I can't read your facial expressions or body language
While your voice is sounding so brave
You are putting on a brave face, despite any difficulties you may be facing
Our Lady Guadalupe
A religious icon of the Virgin Mary
In plaster on the wall
A statue or figurine of Our Lady Guadalupe on a wall
Joseph Smith saw Jesus in America
A reference to Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, and his claim that Jesus appeared to him in America
Well I don't know much about it
I don't have much knowledge or interest in the details of that religious claim
It doesn't matter much at all
The specifics of that religious claim are not relevant to my current situation
Just keep your head down lady
Stay safe and avoid drawing attention to yourself
As you travel through the dark
As you journey through difficult or dangerous circumstances
And if I should seem distracted
If it appears that I'm not fully focused or present
By the color of the sky
Because I am struck by the beauty of the sky
As a copper wire sunset plays a lullaby
As the sun sets and the sky takes on a fiery color, it has a calming effect on me
It's just to know they've stolen
It's a reminder that time, circumstances, or others may take away or prevent us from having what we want
Another day from you and I
Another day that we could have spent together has been lost
It gets me feeling low down
It makes me feel sad or discouraged
When the moon is fulling high
During a time when the moon is full and bright
They bait the route
Someone is trying to set a trap or lure you into danger
To take the place that's safe
To avoid the dangerous route and take a safer path
That you might wait a day
That you might be delayed for a period of time
A lonesome broken dawn
A sad and gloomy beginning to a new day
That finally comes
After a period of waiting or anticipation
Just as I was losing faith
At a time when I was beginning to lose hope
You keep every promise you make
You are reliable and trustworthy
Yes I'm sending the coyote
Reiterating the intention to send someone to retrieve you
To bring you back to me
To reunite and continue our relationship
Contributed by Christian G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Arianna Baragiola
Loving you is easy
I can do it in my sleep
I dream of you so often
It's like you never leave
But you're gone below the border
With a nightmare in between
I'm sending the coyote
To bring you back to me
Where there's a fancy hotel waiting
In south San Gabriel
Where the movie madams sunbathe
The playboys para-sail
And I know you think I'm crazy
But most people they can't tell
So I'll meet you there tomorrow
If I can have you to myself
Inside the time I tried to occupy or waste
Since you've been away
It's hard our plans are stalled on calling cards
I can't see your poker face
While your voice is sounding so brave
Our Lady Guadalupe
In plaster on the wall
Joseph Smith saw Jesus in America
Well I don't know much about it
It doesn't matter much at all
Just keep your head down lady
As you travel through the dark
And if I should seem distracted
By the color of the sky
As a copper wire sunset plays a lullaby
It's just to know they've stolen
Another day from you and I
It gets me feeling low down
When the moon is fulling high
They bait the route
To take the place that's safe
That you might wait a day
A lonesome broken dawn
That finally comes
Just as I was losing faith
You keep every promise you make
Loving you is easy
I can do it in my sleep
I dream of you so often
It's like you never leave
But you're gone below the border
With a nightmare in between
So I'm sending the coyote
To bring you back to me
Yes I'm sending the coyote
To bring you back to me
eocine
His voice sounds the same live as he does on most songs. I mean hell, one of the best reasons to listen to him outside his lyrical genius, is how raw the music is.
Julia Nguyen
I know this has nothing to do with this song, but my best friend passed away not too long ago and this is one of my favorite songs to listen to when I think of her. And lately, I don't know how to spend my time, so I just listen to this song over and over again.
daydrmnation
I understand that. Sorry for your loss. My best friend was murdered a few years back. Sufjan Steven's 'fourth of July' always reminds me of her as she was shot right before the fourth of July and a few days before her birthday. Rip Carrie Melvin.
Owen Meany
My friend passed a year ago today & here I find myself listening to this song.
GWLIV
hope last yr was good for you,
no troll here just love.
Saw Rub
life is about losing everything, gracefully..
Music Czar
life is losing friends
Matt Slay
My wife officially moves in 15 days after being separated for the last 4 or so years. This song captures that feeling of resentment towards borders, nationality, and borders perfectly.
zaeemq1
@Genocide Crusade it's better if people like you don't date regardless of nationality.
LilD**kBigHeart
@Genocide Crusade so you’re against interracial couples? Can I ask why?