The Stone Coyotes is an American band that debuted with their first album i… Read Full Bio ↴The Stone Coyotes is an American band that debuted with their first album in 1998. They hail from Massachusetts but tour primarily in Texas as that is where they receive most radio airplay. Barbara Keith founded the family-revolved band in Massachusetts with her family. Doug Tibbles (on drums) is her husband, and John Tibbles (on bass) is their stepson.

Barbara Keith began her career at the Café Wha? in Greenwich Village, following in the footsteps of Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Bill Cosby and many others who got their start in that hallowed dive. She was soon recording for MGM/Verve, A&M, and Warner Brothers. Her songs have been covered by such diverse artists as Tanya Tucker, Barbra Streisand, The Dillards, Melanie, Hank Snow, Lowell George and others. “The Bramble and the Rose” has become a folk standard – often receiving the ultimate compliment of being mistaken for a traditional song.

Her husband Doug Tibbles had a whole other life before drumming – A native of Los Angeles, he was a TV writer for such shows as “The Munsters”, “Bewitched”, “Andy Griffith”, “My Three Sons”, “Family Affair”, and many more.

Unhappy with show business in general, Barbara gave back her major label advance, Doug quit his one-day-old job as story editor for “Happy Days”, and they went underground. Doug took up drums and son John took up bass at age eleven. Reclusive by choice, the band moved from L.A. to Western Massachusetts to write and woodshed. They began playing the occasional show while recording in their cellar.

When best selling author Elmore Leonard (“Get Shorty”, “Jackie Brown”, “Out of Sight”) walked in the Troubadour in L.A. one night looking for inspiration for his sequel to “Get Shorty”, he discovered The Stone Coyotes.

They became the model for Chili Palmer’s next adventure, “Be Cool”. Leonard said, “ It was music I could understand…straight ahead rock and roll with a twang. And there are good stories going on in the songs.” He included their lyrics in the book and dedicated it to them. He and the band made a string of appearances together around the country with a Words and Music Tour – from New York’s Mercury Lounge to L.A.’s Viper Room.

More recently with five songs on "Dog the Bounty Hunter", they gained national attention, but it is the grass roots, word-of-mouth response to their music that continues their momentum.

“The Stone Coyotes are a rare wild beast in a domesticated music industry.”

- Rolling Stone Online

“The Stone Coyotes’ hefty sound melds AC/DC’s charging power chords with a country troubadour’s literate observations.”

- New York Magazine

“The Stone Coyotes crank out unpretentious rock that has grime on its fingers and transcendence in its heart.”

- The Nashville Scene

“Poised to be the coolest husband-wife-and-son rock and roll trio ever…Those wary of a hype short on substance should rest assured – this family has the chops to back it up.”

- The L. A. Weekly

“Powerful and gritty, with just a hint of sweetness and sorrow.”

- Real Detroit Weekly

“Likely one of the festival’s best discoveries… The Stone Coyotes rocked and shocked the Horseshoe audience Saturday night with their AC/DC meets Patsy Cline sound.”

- Toronto Now

My Horse Has Wings
The Stone Coyotes Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I hope you will forgive me
I seem to be at a loss for words
You know they don't come easily
I've always been a solitary bird

There's a dark unguarded pass up ahead
I may not have a prayer of getting through
And while I'm not prone to displays of emotion

I find it hard to say goodbye to you

I ride along the great divide
Far from the world I have known
But my heart still sings and my horse has wings
To fly and carry me home

And I'd like to rise above it
But I fear I've fallen prey
To the forces that I railed against
In my angry young man days

At least that's how it feels tonight
When the world has lost her charms
In her gaudy dress and her bracelets of gold
Dangling from her withered arms

There will be no more tears or lamentations
I'll take the reins and heed the call

I'll make that hill by daybreak
And ride even if I'm riding for a fall

Overall Meaning

In this song, the singer is admitting that they are struggling to express themselves, and they feel like they have always been alone. They are facing a difficult road ahead, and they may not make it through. Although they are not typically emotional, they find it tough to say goodbye to the person they are leaving behind. They metaphorically compare their journey to riding along the great divide, far from the world they know. However, they find comfort in knowing that their heart still sings and their horse has wings, which leads them homeward.

Furthermore, the lyrics reveal that the singer feels like they have fallen prey to the forces they once railed against in their younger years. They feel like they would like to rise above the situation, but it seems impossible. The world has lost its charm for them, and they see it as shallow and depleted. However, they are determined to take control and continue on their journey, no matter what the outcome may be.

Line by Line Meaning

I hope you will forgive me
I ask for your forgiveness.

I seem to be at a loss for words
I cannot find the words to express myself.

You know they don't come easily
Words are hard for me to say.

I've always been a solitary bird
I have always been alone.

There's a dark unguarded pass up ahead
There is danger ahead.

I may not have a prayer of getting through
I may not survive.

And while I'm not prone to displays of emotion
I usually hide my feelings.

I find it hard to say goodbye to you
I do not want to say goodbye to you.

I ride along the great divide
I travel a difficult path.

Far from the world I have known
I am far away from what I know.

But my heart still sings and my horse has wings
But I still have hope and am capable of great things.