Indian Sunset - Elton John

Indian Sunset

View chords used in this chart
(*)
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 B B 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 Amadd9 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:

How to play Indian Sunset

Use the controls above to change the key and text size. Follow the highlighted chords while listening, then practice each section slowly before playing at the original tempo.

What is the starting chord?

The first identified chord is Ebm. You can transpose without leaving the page.

Can I play it on guitar or keyboard?

Yes. The chord progression works on acoustic guitar, electric guitar and keyboard. Adapt the voicings to your instrument and level.

More chords by Elton John

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