Lyrics
Verse 1
I was drinkin' in KillarneyWhen the moon fell in the glassSaw a shadow by the barrel rackMove a whole lot faster than the pastHad a bandit grin and a raccoon tailAnd a coat made out of dustHe winked at me from under his hatSaid, "Friend, you better trust"
Pre‑Chorus
He stole three pies from the windowsillThen he bowed like he was kingI heard a fiddle from the far back roomAnd the rafters made me sing
Chorus
Tanuki on the runTanuki on the runHe drinks my rum, he takes my funTanuki on the runTanuki on the runTanuki on the runHe laughs, then gone before I've spunTanuki on the run
Verse 2
By the old red barn in TennesseeHe gambled with a wolfLoaded dice and a silver spoonAnd a grin like sharpened boltsHe won my horse with a sleight-of-handThen he patted my shoulder twiceSaid, "I leave a little smoke behindBut I never leave behind the price"
Pre‑Chorus
The banjo climbed, the fiddle screamedI stomped a hole in the floorHe slid through the door with a satchel fullOf apricots and more
Chorus
Tanuki on the runTanuki on the runHe drinks my rum, he takes my funTanuki on the runTanuki on the runTanuki on the runHe laughs, then gone before I've spunTanuki on the run
Bridge
Now some say he haunts the creekside pathSome swear he's made of smokeBut I saw him dance on a wagon wheelAnd I swear the wheel still spokeSo pour one out for the trickster kinAnd lock your pantry tightIf you hear that laugh in the buckshot dawnHe'll be gone by morning light
Final Chorus
Tanuki on the runTanuki on the runHe drinks my rum, he takes my funTanuki on the runTanuki on the runTanuki on the runHe laughs, then gone before I've spunTanuki on the run
Outro
Foot-stomp, clap hardHide your pies tonightTanuki on the runTanuki on the run