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Levon wears his war wound like a crown
He calls his child Jesus 'cause he likes the name
And he sends him to the finest school in town.
Levon, Levon likes his money
He makes a lot they say
Spend his days counting
In a garage by the motorway
He was born a pauper
To a pawn on a Christmas day
When the New York Times
Said God is dead and war's begun
Alvin Tostig has a son today
And he shall be Levon
And he shall be a good man
And he shall be Levon
In tradition with the family plan
And he shall be Levon
And he shall be a good man
He shall be Levon.
Levon's sells cartoon balloons in town
His family business thrives
Jesus blows up balloons all day
Sits on the porch swing watching them fly
And Jesus, he wants to go to Venus
Leave Levon far behind
Take a balloon and go sailing,
While Levon, Levon slowly dies.
And he shall be Levon
And he shall be a good man
He shall be Levon
He calls his child Jesus 'cause he likes the name
And he sends him to the finest school in town.
Levon, Levon likes his money
He makes a lot they say
Spend his days counting
In a garage by the motorway
He was born a pauper
To a pawn on a Christmas day
When the New York Times
Said God is dead and war's begun
Alvin Tostig has a son today
And he shall be Levon
And he shall be a good man
And he shall be Levon
In tradition with the family plan
And he shall be Levon
And he shall be a good man
He shall be Levon.
Levon's sells cartoon balloons in town
His family business thrives
Jesus blows up balloons all day
Sits on the porch swing watching them fly
And Jesus, he wants to go to Venus
Leave Levon far behind
Take a balloon and go sailing,
While Levon, Levon slowly dies.
And he shall be Levon
And he shall be a good man
He shall be Levon
Lyrics submitted by kevlar_soul
Track duration: 05:25
"Levon" as written by Elton John, Bernie Taupin
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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It is a poetry type of music song that explains the big circle of life.
meanwhile, the family biz has always struck me as WEIRD. so the racists (not i) say, jew will do anything for money.
but blow up balloons all day? i always wondered. seemed too enslaved for most of the jews i know who'v been raise with condfidence and a strong sense of self.
so i will ponder this.....altho.....are these the balloons that are minimally filled with just heroin that mules swallow or have inserted otherwise to get across country borders....?
i kinda feel you're reaching a bit far....taupin wasn't writing in this era. it was the early 70's........
I always thought this was one of Elton John's most unusual songs, at least in terms of lyrics (although Bernie Taupin was the actual writer, I think).
I think it could be interpreted in a variety of ways, and that many of the above comments are good.
One thing that I find funny, also mentioned in prior posts, is the name Alvin Tostig. Now, I'm assuming that's the official spelling. But you may note, through the posts, that people often make typos when spelling the last name.
Well, for a moment think about the following typo, not in any of the other posts. If you listen to the song how the name is pronounced, I don't think anyone would have made a fuss if it were spelled "Tosdig" in the official lyrics. If spelled that way, it would be an anagram for "its god." But that isn't the official spelling, so I'm just speculating. I guess I always found that last name unusual, and wondered if any word play were intended, as some others have suggested exists in other parts of the song.
Christian bashing at its finest.. Pauper to a pawn. Alvin Tostig is a man of stature in the world, (ask Bernie.) but a mere pawn to God. Levon is your typical Christian "pauper", insect, earthling, pitifull human.. Jesus is..Jesus! Wants to go to Venus, take a baloon and go sailing. The assention to heaven. And leave Levon far behind. The fate of many according to the Bible.
He shall "be-levon", absoloutly having a little deliberate fun with words.. No question.
Very atheist-anti Christian tone. Not that hard to figure out..