Indian Sunset Songtext / Lyric

Indian Sunset

music by Elton JOhn
lyrics by Bernie Taupin
arrangement by Paul Buckmaster
album Madman Across The Water 1971


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 warlance and my woman.
For 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's 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 learnt 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
the red man's race be slowly crushed.
What kind of words are these to hear
from yellow Dog whom white men fears."

I take only what is mine Lord,
my pony, my squaw and my child.
I can't stay to see you die
along with my tribe's pride.
I go to search for the yellow moon
and 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.

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 at 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.