My Father's Gun
Encyclopedia
"My Father's Gun" is a song by Elton John
with lyrics by Bernie Taupin
. It's 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
.
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
with lyrics by Bernie Taupin
Bernie Taupin
Bernard John "Bernie" Taupin is an English lyricist, poet, and singer, best known for his long-term collaboration with Elton John, writing the lyrics for the majority of the star's songs, making his lyrics some of the best known in pop-rock's history.In 1967, Taupin answered an advertisement in...
. It's the fifth track on his third studio album, Tumbleweed Connection
Tumbleweed Connection
Tumbleweed Connection is the third album by English international recording artist Elton John. It is a concept album based on the Country and Western/Americana themes. All songs are written by Bernie Taupin and Elton John with the exception of "Love Song" by Lesley Duncan. It was recorded at...
. The song tells the story of a young Confederate whose father has just been killed during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. 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
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
'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
Elizabethtown (film)
Elizabethtown is a 2005 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Cameron Crowe starring Orlando Bloom and Kirsten Dunst. Alec Baldwin has a small role as a CEO of an athletic shoe company and Susan Sarandon appears as a grieving widow...
, starring Orlando Bloom
Orlando Bloom
Orlando Jonathan Blanchard Bloom is an English actor. He had his break-through roles in 2001 as the elf-prince Legolas in The Lord of the Rings and starring in 2003 as blacksmith Will Turner in the Pirates of the Caribbean film series, and subsequently established himself as a lead in Hollywood...
and Kirsten Dunst
Kirsten Dunst
Kirsten Caroline Dunst is an American actress, singer and model. She made her film debut in Oedipus Wrecks, a short film directed by Woody Allen for the anthology New York Stories...
.