Coyote, My Little Brother

Mitski's song 'Coyote, My Little Brother' is a poignant and sorrowful reflection on the impact of human actions on nature, specifically focusing on the coyote as a symbol of the broader environmental degradation. The lyrics open with a direct address to the coyote, referred to as 'little brother,' which immediately establishes a sense of kinship and empathy between humans and wildlife. This relationship is further emphasized by the repeated questioning of what has been done to the coyote, highlighting a sense of loss and betrayal.

The song's mention of 'strychnined the mountain' and 'strychnined the plain' refers to the use of strychnine, a highly toxic substance, to poison the land. This imagery paints a grim picture of the deliberate and destructive actions taken against the natural world. The coyote, a resilient and adaptable creature, is depicted as unable to survive these assaults, symbolizing the broader vulnerability of nature to human interference. The repeated refrain that the coyote 'won’t come back again' underscores the permanence of this loss.

Mitski's lyrics also serve as a warning to humanity. The coyote's song, described as a warning of his death, is a metaphor for the broader environmental consequences of human actions. The plea to 'don't poison the mesas, don’t poison the sky' is a desperate call to preserve what remains of the natural world. The song concludes with a bleak vision of a future without the coyote, where there will be 'no one to listen and no one to sing,' and the absence of spring symbolizes a world devoid of renewal and life. Through 'Coyote, My Little Brother,' Mitski delivers a powerful message about the interconnectedness of all life and the urgent need to protect our environment.