Indian Sunset
Elton John
Madman Across The Water (1971)

As I awoke this evening with the smell of woodsmoke
clinging.
Like a gentle cobweb hanging upon a painted teepee.
Oh I went to see my chieftain with my war lance 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 chose 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 the red man's race be
slowly crushed!
What kind of words are these to hear from Yellow Dog, whom the
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 got 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 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.