Burn Down The Mission
Elton John · 5 Classic Albums 1970-1973 [2012]
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Burn Down The Mission
Elton John's 'Burn Down The Mission' stands as a defining track from his 1973 album, 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.' Released during the height of his career, the song exemplifies the intricate piano-driven pop and rock fusion that characterized his work in the early 1970s. The recording features John's distinctive vocal delivery paired with complex musical arrangements, showcasing his ability to blend emotional depth with sophisticated composition. As one of the standout tracks on the album, it remains a staple of his discography, reflecting the artistic maturity and innovation he brought to the genre during this pivotal era in his life and career.