Border Song

Music by Elton John
Lyrics by Bernie Taupin
(last verse by Elton John)

© 1969 Dick James Music Limited

Holy Moses I have been removed
I have seen the spectre he has been here too
Distant cousin from down the line
Brand of people who ain't my kind
Holy Moses I have been removed

Holy Moses I have been deceived
Now the wind has changed direction and I'll have to leave
Won't you please excuse my frankness but it's not my cup of tea
Holy Moses I have been deceived

I'm going back to the border
Where my affairs, my affairs ain't abused
I can't take any more bad water
I've been poisoned from my head down to my shoes

Holy Moses I have been deceived
Holy Moses let us live in peace
Let us strive to find a way to make all hatred cease
There's a man over there what's his colour I don't care
He's my brother let us live in peace
He's my brother let us live in peace
He's my brother let us live in peace

Elton John Sources:

• September 30 1969 recording session at BBC London Maida Vale 5 Studio
• October 11 1969 broadcast on BBC Radio's Speakeasy show
• March 20 1970 UK single A-side DJM DJS 8217
• March 1970 US single A-side Congress 6022
• April 6 1970 BBC recording session, for the Dave Lee Travis show on April 12, at Aeolian Hall, BBC London Studio 2
• April 10 1970 UK album Elton John
• April 12 1970 BBC Radio broadcast on the Dave Lee Travis Show
• April 1970 TV appearance on Top Of The Pops
• April 1970 US single A-side UNI 55246
• May 22 1970 UK TV performance BBC In Concert
• August 13 1970 BBC recording session at Playhouse Theatre, Northumberland Avenue, London
• August 25 1970 US Concert at The Troubadour Club, West Hollywood CA (First US concert appearance)
• August 26 1970 BBC radio broadcast on the Sounds Of The Seventies show
• August 1970 Reissue of US single A-side UNI 55246
• November 1970 US concert at the Swing Auditorium, San Bernardino CA
• November 13 1970 US concert at the Fillmore West, San Francisco CA
• November (15) 1970 (incorrectly reported) US concert at the Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica CA
• November 17 1970 US radio WABC-FM Live Broadcast, New York City NY (source of the 17-11-70 / 11-17-70 album)
• March 3 1971 UK concert at the Royal Festival Hall, London with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra