The song it about a soldier being shot in the Civil War. His journey from the battlefield to the afterlife. It's not about WW1 or 2, not about Vietnam. Remember the album it came from and what Bernie was trying to do. At that time the "Band" was writing real American roots music and Bernie wanted to write his version of that time period. Tumbleweed Connection is a great album and this is one of the classic songs from that record. As always, this is my opinion but from what I have researched this is the real meaning.
@Boydman Yes they were both heavily influenced by The Band and that's what also comes to my mind when reading the lyrics. Songs about the American Civil War, about death and whether life has meaning. It's interesting that at this time 1970 the Vietnam War was raging and dividing many people. Artists like Elton & Bernie, Bob Dylan & The Band were trying to make some sense of it all using the beauty of artistry in both lyrics and music.
@Boydman Yes they were both heavily influenced by The Band and that's what also comes to my mind when reading the lyrics. Songs about the American Civil War, about death and whether life has meaning. It's interesting that at this time 1970 the Vietnam War was raging and dividing many people. Artists like Elton & Bernie, Bob Dylan & The Band were trying to make some sense of it all using the beauty of artistry in both lyrics and music.
The song it about a soldier being shot in the Civil War. His journey from the battlefield to the afterlife. It's not about WW1 or 2, not about Vietnam. Remember the album it came from and what Bernie was trying to do. At that time the "Band" was writing real American roots music and Bernie wanted to write his version of that time period. Tumbleweed Connection is a great album and this is one of the classic songs from that record. As always, this is my opinion but from what I have researched this is the real meaning.
@Boydman Yes they were both heavily influenced by The Band and that's what also comes to my mind when reading the lyrics. Songs about the American Civil War, about death and whether life has meaning. It's interesting that at this time 1970 the Vietnam War was raging and dividing many people. Artists like Elton & Bernie, Bob Dylan & The Band were trying to make some sense of it all using the beauty of artistry in both lyrics and music.
@Boydman Yes they were both heavily influenced by The Band and that's what also comes to my mind when reading the lyrics. Songs about the American Civil War, about death and whether life has meaning. It's interesting that at this time 1970 the Vietnam War was raging and dividing many people. Artists like Elton & Bernie, Bob Dylan & The Band were trying to make some sense of it all using the beauty of artistry in both lyrics and music.