Men & Coyotes
Red Shahan Lyrics
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Through the canyon of concrete walls
Up and down, oh but not this low
years never missed a single sunset
Eyes burn green
Livin' in the shadows just another game to be seen
And others enjoy the company of a stray
Just like the Indians see
We're only here to get out'the way
The common pain, oh misunderstood
But at the end of the day, nobody cares for coyotes
Gonna burn us out, burn us out of town
It's like a two-faced liar, nobody cares for coyotes
They're gonna burn us out, burn us out of town
Victim of a circumstance, labeled as a young man
Never had a chance
Night calls out, oh come on home
years never done nobody wrong
When my eyes glow green
Livin in the shadows, just another game to be seen
But at the end of the day, nobody cares for coyotes
Gonna burn us out, burn us out of town
Just like a two-faced liar, nobody cares for coyotes
They're gonna burn us out, burn us out of town
The Red Shahan song, Men & Coyotes, is a poignant ballad which speaks to the marginalized existence of the coyote. With vivid imagery, the song narrates the experience of these creatures who exist on the outskirts of civilization, who howl at the moon in the dead of night while the rest of the world is fast asleep. The first stanza describes the experience of the coyotes through "a canyon of concrete walls". They are marginalized, sad and lonely creatures that are seen as nothing more than a pest - something to be pushed out of town or "burned out". The second stanza delves deeper into the life of the coyote and the common pain they share with other outcasts who have been misunderstood throughout history.
The next stanza anthropomorphizes the coyote further by suggesting that they too have their own song, "a lonesome song for the cowboys". However, the song suggests that despite this, people don't care - just like a two-faced liar with one face for show and another for how they actually feel. The final stanza underscores this key theme by highlighting the plight of the coyote, which is a victim of circumstance, lacking any real choices or opportunities in life. They are simply here to exist and be pushed to the fringes of society.
Line by Line Meaning
Howlin' at the moon while the innocents sleep
Continuing to pursue a solitary existence even when others are unaware of it
Through the canyon of concrete walls
Navigating harsh urban environments and obstacles
Up and down, oh but not this low
Experiencing highs and lows, but not accepting rock-bottom
Years never missed a single sunset
Having a reverence for the passing of time and change
Eyes burn green
Possessing a vibrant, determined spirit
Livin' in the shadows just another game to be seen
Existing in obscurity, but aware of the stakes and consequences
Some people see we sing a lonesome song for the cowboys
Some acknowledge and respect a particular style or way of living
And others enjoy the company of a stray
Some value and embrace unconventional or unpredictable companionship
Just like the Indians see
Native Americans may perceive the same way
We're only here to get out'the way
Acknowledging that certain groups may be seen as obstacles or nuisances
The common pain, oh misunderstood
Shared struggles and hardships may be overlooked or disregarded
But at the end of the day, nobody cares for coyotes
In the grand scheme of things, certain individuals or groups may be deemed insignificant
Gonna burn us out, burn us out of town
Facing persecution or expulsion due to perceived undesirability or threat
It's like a two-faced liar, nobody cares for coyotes
Indifference can be like a deceptive, dishonest enemy
Victim of a circumstance, labeled as a young man
Being unfairly judged or categorized based on factors beyond one's control or maturity
Never had a chance
Feeling powerless or disadvantaged in certain situations
Night calls out, oh come on home
Longing for a sense of belonging or comfort
Years never done nobody wrong
Having a clean record or honorable intentions
When my eyes glow green
When I am filled with determination and resilience
Livin in the shadows, just another game to be seen
Continuing to operate in the shadows, aware of the risks and rewards
Contributed by Max T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@that_boyzac4908
[Verse 1]
Howlin' at the moon while the innocent sleep
Through a canyon of concrete walls
I've been down
Oh, but not this low
Twenty-seven years, never missed a single sunset
Eyes glow green
Livin' in the shadows
Just another game to be seen
[Verse 2]
Some people, see, we sing a lonesome song for the cowboys
And others enjoy the company of a stray
Just like the Indians, see, we're only here to guide the way
The common thing, oh misunderstood
[Chorus]
But at the end of the day
Nobody cares for coyotes
They're gonna burn us out
Burn us out of town
Just like a two-faced liar
Nobody cares for coyotes
They're gonna burn us out
Burn us out of town
[Verse 3]
Victim of a circumstance, labeled as a young man
Never had a chance
The night calls out
"Oh, come on home"
Twenty-seven years, never done nobody wrong
But my eyes glow green
Livin' in the shadows
Just another game to be seen
[Chorus]
But at the end of the day
Nobody cares for coyotes
They're gonna burn us out
Burn us out of town
Just like a two-faced liar
Nobody cares for coyotes
They're gonna burn us out
Burn us out of town
@ashleygriffin6590
Howlin' at the moon while the innocents sleep
Through the canyon of concrete walls
Up and down, oh but not this low
Years never missed a single sunset
Eyes burn green
Livin' in the shadows just another game to be seen
Some people see we sing a lonesome song for the cowboys
And others enjoy the company of a stray
Just like the Indians see
We're only here to get out'the way
The common pain, oh misunderstood
But at the end of the day, nobody cares for coyotes
Gonna burn us out, burn us out of town
It's like a two-faced liar, nobody cares for coyotes
They're gonna burn us out, burn us out of town
Victim of a circumstance, labeled as a young man
Never had a chance
Night calls out, oh come on home
Years never done nobody wrong
When my eyes glow green
Livin in the shadows, just another game to be seen
But at the end of the day, nobody cares for coyotes
Gonna burn us out, burn us out of town
Just like a two-faced liar, nobody cares for coyotes
They're gonna burn us out, burn us out of town
@lemswicegood2560
2024 and this song resonates even harder..........
@madhat13754
What you said. 😢
@colbygreenhouse5277
I relate to this song coyotes and men are the same always on the prowl and true to the outlaw way looking for a good come up to get rich
@jasonjennings3977
And both are getting more scarce everyday.
@trentoniusmaximus1701
This is our theme song. We all know it deep down.
@Killer-cx5ww
👃👈 🙏🙏
@themechanic4592
@@Killer-cx5ww damn covid I still can't smell
@Killer-cx5ww
@@themechanic4592 😂😂😂
@scottwyatt5173
Yep
@colbygreenhouse5277
You have to go down before you come up or you won’t understand the song