" Another Hard Year in Taos "
 " COYOTE AND MAGPIE " |
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The Lyrics
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Magpie burning, sisters all around, But there's nothing they can do to put the fire down. Magpie burning, Coyote's nowhere to be found, Even if you search down in the underground. Coyote told you "Steal the sun, And fly it to New Mexico, And people there will always sing your praise." Coyote tricked you, little Magpie, You cannot steal the sun Or you'll get burned. Will you ever learn? The people will sing about the Trickster, Coyote, And they'll forget about you. |
Copyright 2002 by Richard De Stefano
Notes on the Song
| "Coyote and Magpie" is intended to evoke a classic Native American legend; but it is a faux legend - I made it up. This is the only song that was entirely written after the recording project began. Shortly after I asked Carly Delong to do my cover illustration, she got back to me with the suggestion of a flaming magpie image. I was so intrigued with that image, that I wanted to write a song related to it. I assumed that there would be a Native American legend that involved the magpie because magpies are native to northern New Mexico. I looked in several books of compiled Indian legends. The short stories tend to have names like "Coyote and Bear" and "Coyote and Medicine Woman," as they are rendered in written form by the folklorists. I could not find a single word about magpies. So, I decided to make up a legend explaining why you can't find a legend about magpies. The music under the verses features a quirky variant of a one-two-five-one pattern, Dm, E7b5, A7b9, Dm. This pattern and tempo combine to create a somewhat mysterious feeling, enhanced by the opening flute sounds against only drums. The chorus music shifts to jazzy changes and close 4-part harmony. Then the outro is an extended jam on the original chord pattern- first at the original tempo, then at a much faster salsa-feeling tempo. This arrangement is fun for us, and I hope you enjoy. |
" Another Hard Year in Taos "
Good Day LA Two Hearts Hard Times Angelina The Champion Interlude al Presto
Sometimes It's Right The Sheriff Of Nottingham A New Father's Song
Waitress At The Donut Shop Coyote and Magpie
Another Hard Year in Taos
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509 Camino de la Placita - Taos, New Mexico 87571
ph: (505) 751-7100 - fax: (505) 751-1234
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