“Indian Sunset” by Elton John
“Indian Sunset” finds Elton John narrating the tragic incident from the perspective of a Native American who wakes up one day to realize that the land that belonged to him and his people are being forcibly captured.
The first verses of “Indian Sunset” address how the narrator is in shock about the death of the Warlord who he believes should have been protecting the townsfolk. John then expresses the despair felt at the thought of losing his tribe and their land. He goes on the run, searching for the ‘yellow moon’. The said ‘yellow moon’ symbolizes his attempt to flee the chaos which would ultimately result in death.
As the song ends, the narrator slowly loses hope as he can’t seem to find help elsewhere and his captors are fast approaching. He gives in to the thought of being killed together with his loved ones by the European soldiers.
Elton and Bernie Taupin penned this song. It’s production was taken care of by Gus Dudgeon. Elton and his team released this classic on November 5, 1971. It appears as the fifth track off his “Madman Across the Water” album.
American Indians driven from their Lands
In the 19th Century, the Native Americans were forced by the government of the United States to move from their original home to the eastern part of the country. This move was facilitated by the introduction of the Indian Removal Act which was signed into law in 1830 by Andrew Jackson. The main aim of the relocation, according to accounts, was to bring the Indians under the control of the government.
It was also aimed at reducing conflict between the indigenes and the settlers. Another goal of this law was to teach the natives the ways of the white man. However, not all of the Native Americans made the migration. Those who were left behind formed some sort of tribal groups. These groups include Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee.
