Ballad Of A Well Known Gun

Elton John · Tumbleweed Connection

I pulled out my Stage Coach Times
And I read the latest news
I tapped my feet in dumb surprise
And of course I saw they knew
The Pinkertons pulled out my bags
And asked me for my name
I stuttered out my answer
And hung my head in shame

Now they've found me
At last they've found me
It's hard to run
From a starving family
Now they've found me
Well I won't run
I'm tired of hearing
There goes a well-known gun

Now I've seen this chain gang
Lord I say let me see my priest
I couldn't have faced your desert sand
Old burning brown backed beast
The poor house they hit me for my kin
And claimed my crumbling walls
Now I know how Reno felt
When he ran from the law

Now they've found me
At last they've found me
It's hard to run
From a starving family
Now they've found me
Well I won't run
I'm tired of hearing
There goes a well-known gun

Now they've found me
Lord I say at last they've found me
It's hard to run
From a starving family
Lord I say now they've found me
Well I won't run
I'm tired of hearing
There goes a well-known gun

Lord I say now they've found me
At last they've found me
It's hard to run
From a starving family
Now they've found me
I won't run
I'm tired of hearing
There goes a well-known gun

Ballad Of A Well Known Gun

Ballad Of A Well Known Gun stands as a defining track from Elton John's 1970 album Tumbleweed Connection. During this pivotal era, John and lyricist Bernie Taupin embraced a distinct country and folk-rock aesthetic, moving away from the pop sensibilities that would later dominate his career. The song captures the melancholic storytelling characteristic of the duo's early work, weaving a narrative that reflects the album's cohesive Western-inspired themes. As part of a celebrated period in John's discography, the recording showcases his developing piano style and emotive vocal delivery. It remains a significant song in his catalogue, illustrating the artistic maturity achieved during the early 1970s and contributing to the enduring legacy of one of rock music's most influential bodies of work.