Indian Sunset
Madman Across The Water
INDIAN SUNSET
Year: 1971
Album: MADMAN ACROSS THE WATER
Writers: Elton John\ Bernie Taupin
Bb7b7\Ebm7
(*)
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
Ebm Ebm9
This I can't believe I said, I can't believe our warlord's dead
Ebm9 Abm\Eb Ebm7
Oh he would not leave the chosen ones to the buzzards and the soldiers guns
Ebm Ebm9
Oh great father of the Iroquois ever since I was young
Abm\Eb Ebm9
I've read the writing of the smoke and breast fed on the sound of drums
Ebm Ebm7
I've learned to hurl the tomahawk and ride a painted pony wild
Ebm9 Abm\Eb Ebm9
To run the gauntlet of the Sioux, to make a chieftain's daughter mine
Ebm
And now you ask that I should watch
Ebm Ebm7 Ebm9
The red man's race be slowly crushed
Ebm Abm\Eb
What kind of words are these to hear
Ebm9
From Yellow Dog whom white man fears
(Ebm7)*
Abm\(Ab Bb Cb Cb Db) D7 D7 D7-5 D7 D
G Bm\F# Em G\D C Am\D Em D
I take only what is mine Lord, my pony, my squaw, and my child
G Bm\F# Em G\D C Am\D Em D
I can't stay to see you die along with my tribe's pride
Am7 D G C\G
I go to search for the yellow moon and the fathers of our sons
Em7 Am7 G F6(add9) Am G C(***)
Where the red sun sinks in the hills of gold and the healing waters run
G Bm\F# Em G\D C Am\D Em D
Trampling down the prairie rose leaving hoof tracks in the sand
G Bm\F# Em G\D C Am\D Em D
Those who wish to follow me I welcome with my hands
Am7 D G C\G
I heard from passing renegades Geronimo was dead
Em7 Am7 Gsus4 F6(add9) Am7 Bm7 Em (Em7\D Cmaj7)**** Em
He'd been laying down his weapons when they filled him full of lead_____________________
Em Am\E Em Em G\E G\E Em G\E Em Em
Am Am Am G G G Am Am Am G G G Am Am
Em Em Em G\E G\E Em G\E Em G\E Em Em Em
Am Am Am G G G Am Am Am G G G Am Am Am
(D7\A Am(add9) D7\A Em G\D Em)*****
Em G\D C G\B
Now there seems no reason why I should carry on
Am7 G\B C D
In this land that once was my land I can't find a home
Em G\D C G\B
It's lonely and it's quiet and the horse soldiers are coming
Am G\B C D
And I think it's time I strung my bow and ceased my senseless running
Em G\D C G\B
For soon I'll find the yellow moon along with my loved ones
Am G\B C D
Where the buffalos graze in clover fields without the sound of guns
Em G\D C G\B
And the red sun sinks at last into the hills of gold
Am G\B C Em (Em7\D Cmaj7 Em)****
And peace to this young warrior comes with a bullet ho________________le.
(Em Em7\D Cmaj7)**** D
*The first verse is sung accapella until chords are shown.
**The orchestra plays here. The sheet music has cut their parts out of the score.
This is an approximation of what they are playing:
RH: Ebm Ebm Ebm Gb Gb Gb Gb Ebm Ebm Ebm Ebm Ebm Ebm Ebm ab Ebm Ebm Ebm Ebm Gb Ebm
LH: Eb Eb Eb Eb Eb Eb Eb Eb Eb
RH: db eb gb ab bb db eb eb eb db db db db eb
LH: Eb Eb Eb Eb
RH: db eb gb db eb bb db ab bb gb db eb gb db eb eb
LH: Eb Eb Eb Eb Eb Eb
RH: ab bb db eb gb ab bb db eb db ab db bb gb Abm
LH: Eb Eb Eb Db Ab
***Improv single not elaboration into next verse.
****Descending fourths on these intervals. See the recording for more info.
*****Single piano notes in the right hand are as follows:
Am c d e g D7 g f# d a Am(add9) g c g D7 g f# e Em g e f# d Em g e f# d