"My Father's Gun" | ||||
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Song by Elton John | ||||
from the album Tumbleweed Connection | ||||
Released | 30 October 1970 | |||
Genre | Soft rock | |||
Length | 6:18 | |||
Label | Uni, DJM | |||
Songwriter(s) | Elton John, Bernie Taupin | |||
Producer(s) | Gus Dudgeon | |||
Tumbleweed Connection track listing | ||||
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"My Father's Gun" is a song by Elton John with lyrics by Bernie Taupin. It is the fifth track on his third studio album, Tumbleweed Connection. The song tells the story of a young Confederate whose father has just been killed during the American Civil War. After burying his father in the South, he takes up his father's gun and goes off to rejoin the fighting, longing for a future after the victory of their cause. According to Elton, this was one of Bob Dylan's favourites when they first met in 1970. In live performances it was an extended ballad. John played the song in the same set as what became the 11-17-70 live album, though it has not been performed in concert since.
This song was also featured on the soundtrack to the film Elizabethtown, starring Orlando Bloom and Kirsten Dunst.