Trickster Rolls into Town

Credits

Coyote, Loki, Anansi, Brer Rabbit, Crow…the trickster god manifests in many forms in many different cultures. But one thing is always the same: once he rolls into town, you can expect trouble!

This song is track 15 on our album Pantheon: Honoring the Pagan Divine. The whole album is available for sale here on Bandcamp, and this song can also be purchased as an individual digital download. Songwriter Tara Kreauweaumonn and her crowsister Deb sing the vocals, with Tara on ukulele and Deb on guitar. They live in Colorado–can you hear the Western influence in the song?

Trickster Rolls into Town was sponsored by Coyote Ravenwhiskers in honor of Amber K of Ardantane, who shares the spirit of Trickster

Lyrics

Chorus:
On a portentous day trickster rolls into town
Saying what’s up when it’s clear that it’s down
Don’t know where he’s going
Can’t tell where’s he been
Everyone knows he’s peddling some kind of sin.
Yet we’re still buying
The tales when he’s lying
Cause the worst of his trick’s when there’s no trick at all.

He comes in many colors, every gender and shape
He’s always a “he” ‘cept when he ain’t.
Sometimes he’s a creature. Sometimes he’s a man.
He’s the cleverest god to be walking the land.

Trickster is foolish even when he’s wise
He’s a master of wordplay, Lord of Disguise.
Transiting boundaries of spirit and earth
Creating, inventing, and proving his worth.
(Chorus)

Don’t trust him with your children, your food, or your wife
I swear you’ll regret it the rest of your life.
His wit and charisma will make you forget
Last time he deceived you and left you for dead.

He steals from the gods. He steals from his friends.
He doesn’t distinguish the means from the ends.
Sometimes he’s a hero. Sometimes he’s a fiend.
Vital life lessons are veiled in his schemes.
(Chorus)

Coyote and Loki, Hermes and Lugh
Anansi, Brer Rabbit, Raven, Eshu
Odin and Reynard, Kokopelli
Elegua, Apollo, Eris, Monkey King

     music & lyrics © Tara D. Kiene (ASCAP) 2022

YouTube video

Blog posts that mention this song

Trickster Sings This World

Tara KreauweaumonnDecember 30, 2021

Recently I had the honor of teaching a class on trickster deities for Ardantane School of Paganism. Of course, as a Kreauwomun (Crow Woman), I have a natural draw to tricksters. And, of course, as a Crowwomin, I had to include trickster songs in the workshop. This was not as...

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Photo of coyote by Ray Hennessy