Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy
Ofln - Elton John Lyrics


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Captain Fantastic, raised and regimented, hardly a hero
Just someone his mother might know
Very clearly a case for Corn Flakes and classics
"Two teas both with sugar please"
In the back of an alley

While little dirt cowboys turned brown in their saddles
Sweet chocolate biscuits and red rosy apples in summer
For it's hay make and "Hey mom, do the papers say anything good
Are there chances in life for little dirt cowboys
Should I make my way out of my home in the woods"

Brown Dirt Cowboy, still green and growing
City slick Captain
Fantastic the feedback
The honey, the hive could be holding
For there's weak winged young sparrows that starve in the winter
Broken young children on the wheels of the winners
And the sixty-eight summer festival wallflowers are thinning

For cheap easy meals, hardly a home on the range
Too hot for the band with a desperate desire for change
We've thrown in the towel too many times
Out for the count and when we're down
Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy
From the end of the world to your town

And all this talk of Jesus coming back to see us
Mmm mmm couldn't fool us
For we were spinning out our lines walking on the wire
Hand in hand went music and the rhyme
The Captain and the Kid stepping in the ring
From here on sonny sonny sonny, it's a long and lonely climb




For cheap easy meals, hardly a home on the range
Too hot for the band with a desperate desire for change
We've thrown in the towel too many times
Out for the count and when we're down
Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy
From the end of the world to your town

We've thrown in the towel too many times
Out for the count and when we're down
Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy
From the end of the world to your town

Overall Meaning

In the song "Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy" by Elton John, the lyrics paint a vivid picture of two characters - Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy - who represent different aspects of life and struggle. Captain Fantastic is described as someone who is raised and regimented, not necessarily a traditional hero figure, but a familiar face that his mother might recognize. The mention of requesting two teas with sugar in the back of an alley suggests a simple and unassuming life, perhaps hinting at a longing for comfort and normalcy amidst the chaos.


On the other hand, the Brown Dirt Cowboy is depicted as still green and growing, in contrast to the more experienced and hardened Captain Fantastic. The references to sweet chocolate biscuits, red rosy apples, and little dirt cowboys in summer evoke a sense of innocence and simplicity, symbolizing a desire for a more carefree and joyful existence. The questions about chances in life and leaving the safety of one's home in the woods hint at a yearning for adventure and opportunity.


As the song progresses, the lyrics delve into themes of hardship and disillusionment. The mention of weak winged young sparrows and broken young children portrays a bleak reality where some struggle to survive while others thrive. The imagery of the sixty-eight summer festival wallflowers thinning suggests a fading optimism and a realization of the harsh realities of life.


The repeated references to cheap easy meals, a lack of home on the range, and a desperate desire for change highlight a sense of dissatisfaction and longing for something more meaningful. The imagery of throwing in the towel too many times and being out for the count reflects a feeling of defeat and exhaustion. Despite the challenges, there is a sense of resilience and determination embodied in Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy as they journey from the end of the world to the listeners' own town, symbolizing a universal struggle and search for purpose and belonging.


Line by Line Meaning

Captain Fantastic, raised and regimented, hardly a hero
Captain Fantastic, brought up and disciplined strictly, not quite a hero


Just someone his mother might know
Only a person his mother would recognize


Very clearly a case for Corn Flakes and classics
Clearly suited for simple and traditional things


"Two teas both with sugar please"
"Two teas, both with sugar, please"


In the back of an alley
At the rear of a narrow street


While little dirt cowboys turned brown in their saddles
As young cowboys in the dirt get tanned while riding


Sweet chocolate biscuits and red rosy apples in summer
Enjoying treats like chocolate biscuits and ripe apples in the summer


For it's hay make and "Hey mom, do the papers say anything good
As we work with hay and ask mom if there's any good news in the newspapers


Are there chances in life for little dirt cowboys
Is there a way for young cowboys in the dirt to succeed


Should I make my way out of my home in the woods"
Should I leave my forest home


Brown Dirt Cowboy, still green and growing
Brown cowboy from the dirt, still learning and developing


City slick Captain
Sophisticated Captain


Fantastic the feedback
Excellent the response


The honey, the hive could be holding
There might be treasure in store


For there's weak winged young sparrows that starve in the winter
Because there are fragile young sparrows that suffer hunger in the winter


Broken young children on the wheels of the winners
Children shattered by the successful ones


And the sixty-eight summer festival wallflowers are thinning
And the shy attendees of the '68 summer festival are dwindling


For cheap easy meals, hardly a home on the range
Having simple meals, not really a comfortable home on the open land


Too hot for the band with a desperate desire for change
The band is feeling too warm and eager for a transformation


We've thrown in the towel too many times
We've given up too often


Out for the count and when we're down
Defeated and struggling


Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy
The strong leader and the rough cowboy


From the end of the world to your town
From far away to your neighborhood


And all this talk of Jesus coming back to see us
And all this discussion about Jesus returning to visit us


Mmm mmm couldn't fool us
Hmm, hmm, we wouldn't be misled


For we were spinning out our lines walking on the wire
Because we were crafting our words while taking risks


Hand in hand went music and the rhyme
Music and poetry worked together


The Captain and the Kid stepping in the ring
The leader and the youngster entering the challenge


From here on sonny sonny sonny, it's a long and lonely climb
From now on, son, it's a difficult and solitary journey




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BERNIE TAUPIN, ELTON JOHN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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