Artists
Elton John – lead vocals, piano
Colin Green – classical (Spanish) guitar
Brian Dee – organ
Paul Buckmaster – orchestral arrangement, conductor
Written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin. Produced by Gus Dudgeon. From Elton John (DJM Records, 10 April 1970).
The song opens with a buzzing string swell inspired by the composer György Ligeti, which Paul Buckmaster recorded separately during downtime in a string session; Gus Dudgeon then attached it to the front of the track, something Buckmaster hadn’t planned. Buckmaster was later unhappy with his arrangement and preferred Elton’s live version. Bernie Taupin’s lyrics were inspired by his relationship with his grandfather.
Elton John – Sixty Years On Lyrics
Who’ll walk me down to church when I’m sixty years of age
When the ragged dog they gave me has been ten years in the grave
And señorita play guitar, play it just for you
My rosary has broken and my beads have all slipped through
You’ve hung up your great coat and you’ve laid down your gun
You know the war you fought in wasn’t too much fun
And the future you’re giving me holds nothing for a gun
I’ve no wish to be living sixty years on
Yes I’ll sit with you and talk let your eyes relive again
I know my vintage prayers would be very much the same
And Magdelena plays the organ, plays it just for you
Your choral lamp that burns so low when you are passing through
And the future you’re giving me holds nothing for a gun
I’ve no wish to be living sixty years on
To listen to other songs from the the Teleskop 22 program click here.