Mark Urso @ River Song | Indian Sunset

Written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin
From the album "Madman Across the Water"
Performed by Mark Urso

This is a beautiful, rambling ballad typical of some of the cultural topical stuff Elton John produced in the 1970's. This is from "Madman Across The Water" (1971), words by Bernie Taupin. It's about an Indian who finds himself alone when his tribe is lost at war. It's a big brown bear to play and sing. :)

Indian Sunset (John/Taupin) Lyrics

As I awoke this evening with the smell of wood smoke clinging
Like a gentle cobweb hanging upon a painted tepee
Oh I went to see my chieftain with my war lance and my woman
Oh he told us that the yellow moon would very soon be leaving

This I can't believe I said, I can't believe our warlord's dead
Oh he would not leave the chosen ones to the buzzards and the soldiers guns
Oh great father of the Iroquois ever since I was young
I've read the writing of the smoke and breast fed on the sound of drums

I've learned to hurl the tomahawk and ride a painted pony wild
To run the gauntlet of the Sioux, to make a chieftain's daughter mine
And now you ask that I should watch my red man's race be slowly crushed
What kind of words are these to hear! From Yellow Dog whom white man fears!

(transition)

I take only what is mine Lord, my pony, my squaw, and my child
I can't stay here to see you die, along with my tribe's pride
I go to search for the yellow moon and the fathers of our sons
Where the red sun sinks in the hills of gold and the healing waters run

Trampling down the prairie rose, leaving hoof tracks in the sand
Those who wish to follow me, I welcome with my hands
I heard from passing renegades Geronimo was dead
He'd been laying down his weapons when they filled him full of lead

(transition)

Now there seems no reason why I should carry on
In this land that once was my land I can't find a home
It's lonely and it's quiet and the horse soldiers are coming
And I think it's time I strung my bow and ceased my senseless running

For soon I'll find the yellow moon along with my loved ones
Where the buffaloes graze in clover fields without the sound of guns
And the red sun sinks at last into the hills of gold
And peace to this young warrior comes with a bullet hole

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