Indian Sunset

On Madman Across The Water. While in America in 1970, Taupin visited the western towns and scenic landscapes that he had dreamed and read about as a boy. His romantic view of legendary cowboys and western folklore was dealt a cold blow at an Indian reservation. He expressed his disillusionment in the song released first by Mary Travers. The song was written in October 1970.

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 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 guns

Oh great father of the Iroquois ever since I was young I've read the writing of the smoke and breastfed 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 The red man's race be slowly crushed What kind of words are these to hear From Yellow Dog whom white man 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 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

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 buffalos 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