| Elton John – My Father's Gun Lyrics | 16 years ago |
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That's not really it at all. You're transposing. Kudos for correct use of "Wilberforce", though. You've made some pretty significant assumptions in your analysis of this song which I wont bother going into. And when I say "assumptions", I do not mean to indicate that your assumptions are wrong. Just simply that they are over-complicating what is otherwise a very simple song. "own my fathers gun" is a metaphor, indicating that the narrator has inherited his fathers war through his fathers passing. The sense of duty or responsibility to father and that which was important to the father is why he fights. Children growing and women sewing have nothing to do with his reason for fighting. "Children growing and women sewing" are two of the rewards the narrator feels he will earn through victory, which again is a metaphor for a return to normalcy and a quieter life. Nowhere in this song is any reference made to "parroting the slave's death sentance". While your knowledge of old American culture and history are definitely reflected in your interpretation, they combine to muddle the intended interpretation of this song. You're certainly correct about this song referencing the Civil War, the War of 1812 was a stretch and didn't really make any sense. But I agree, that this is one of E. John's most under-rated songs. |
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