Elton John

Released: October 30, 1970

Songwriter: Bernie Taupin Elton John

Producer: Gus Dudgeon

[Verse 1]
You tell me there's an angel in your tree
Did he say he'd come to call on me?
For things are getting desperate in our home
Living in the parish of the restless folks I know

[Pre-Chorus]
Everybody now, bring your family down to the riverside
Look to the east to see where the fat stock hide
Behind four walls of stone the rich man sleeps
It's time we put the flame torch to their keep

[Chorus]
Burn down the mission
If we're gonna stay alive
Watch the black smoke fly to heaven
See the red flame light the sky
Burn down the mission
Burn it down to stay alive
It's our only chance of living
Take all you need to live inside

[Verse 2]
Deep in the woods the squirrels are out today
My wife cried when they came to take me away
But what more could I do just to keep her warm
Than burn, burn, burn, burn, down the mission walls

[Pre-Chorus]
Now everybody, bring your family down to the riverside
Look to the east to see where the fat stock hide
Behind four walls of stone the rich man sleeps
It's time we put the flame torch to their keep

[Chorus]
Burn down the mission, Lord
If we're gonna stay alive
Watch the black smoke fly to heaven
See the red flame light the sky
Burn down the mission, Lord
If we're gonna stay alive
It's our only chance of living
Take all you need to live inside

Elton John is a British singer, pianist and composer whose unique blend of pop and rock styles turned him into one of the biggest music icons of the 20th century. Elton has sold more than 250 million albums, making him one of the best-selling musicians ever.

He excelled in music from a young age, attending the prestigious Academy of Music on a scholarship at just eleven years old. In 1970 he released his first self-titled album, making him a huge international star.

Some of his most famous hits include “Crocodile Rock”, “Philadelphia Freedom” and “Take the Long Way Home”.

more tracks from the album

Tumbleweed Connection

From the album

Tumbleweed Connection (1970)

Elton John popular songs

Burn Down the MissionElton John

Elton John

Tumbleweed Connection