"WHERE TO NOW ST. PETER"

[ABCCATTX]

I bought the TC album when I was stationed in Darmstadt, Germany in 1970. That album, along with this song, quickly become a favorite of mine. I heard "WHERE TO NOW ST. PETER" for the first time in a long time on the radio yesterday and it made me feel good. It sounded different/better somehow from what I remember. I still can't figure out what the "blue canoe" reference is about. I'm not a christian, and I probably haven't "done all one man can." Thanks for the song and the photos. Well done!

[AceDharma]

Haunting-thank you.



[myromeodude123]

The image of the American flag, mutilated and half burnt, I find quite moving. To me, it represents the cost of freedom.

[6562willow]

nice,,song,,i know the story of st. peter,,

[KyBoy2999]

I have played this song thousands of times ....I want this played at my funeral...I am a christian

[272surfing]

beautiful

[backbeatzbob]

another great song that would go with the civil war imagery is Elton's "My Father's Gun" Elton and Bernie loved the theme of the wild American west too...

[TheAcousticBob]

I've been reading various interpretations of "Where To Now St. Peter."

I never considered that it had any other interpretation but that it's about a soldier dying in combat, and finding himself in the afterlife. Where else do you get to ask St Peter a question?

"I understand I'm on the road where all that was is gone....."

[TheAcousticBob]

****sighhhhhhh*****

[sanclementekid]

In 1972 I had a substitute teacher who played this song, and she was talking about the Viet Nam War...cute hippie chick...

[11xzxzxz]

This is a great song but the greatest Elton song on Tumbleweed is Come Down in Time. No fantastic pics but a fantastic st st stutter.

[The90265]

Alright who's the 1 homeaphob

[suze2012]

Thank you for posting. Love this music, very moving video

[AqualungsTull]

This is my song, of all of the magic in music this one bears the title....I haven played it for over 40 years....It will be played at my funeral only difference..... I am a Christian............~.~

[Postscript624]

This is such a beautiful song, and some fantastic pictures!

[KINGFISHERTHEFREAK]

Thanks Postscript624.  I always loved this song and have always loved Gettysburg.

[WIGSCOTT]

Very well done, I've always loved this song and your presentation of those brave men fallen in battle bring it to life. Sad so many died during that war, surely there could have been a better way. Bernie Taupin is such a master at surreal lyrics that take you on a journey.

[nahnni]

Superb images for this great song!!

[Chucka10]

i just love this album cut - the wah wah pedal reminds me of another song, Golden Country - REO Speedwagon

[KINGFISHERTHEFREAK]

Ah yes - "Golden Country" I remember it well!

[fatpizzaman]

Excellent song, sadly not one of Elton's better known songs. It was later covered by Sergio Mendes & Brasil 77 in 1976 for the "Home Cooking" album and it's a great version too.

[TOMCAT1955]

Thanks for this one!A Classic that never got the reconition that is deserved!...and the slideshow is the "icing on the cake"! Where are these photos so I may view them again?Great Job Pal!

[MusicMadMaurice]

This was my first Elton John album even though I bought it long after its release. I transferred it to cassette and like AqualungsTull, I played it to death. I delayed buying the CD long enough to get the updated version with the bonus tracks that weren't included on the vinyl or original CD release: "The Old Man's Shoes" and original "Madman Across the Water". I still can't decide if this is my favourite album or if I prefer Honky Chateau. I'll just have to listen to them both again to decide.

[MargusKiistheCritic]

Elton at his best, when he was a simple straight singer-songwriter not glam-poser of gay activist like later. 

Favorite song for me. I used to listen it again and again when I was about 17.

[buzzell93]

floating like a leaf

[ascoredhat]

I've always thought of this as one of Elton's truly underrated songs. A classic.

[musikfanat]

Thanks for this...

[tictocq]

"Dirty was the daybreak, sudden was the change...insane; they took the paddles, my arms they paralyzed" who is they? It seems to me he is a captive of a soon-to- be execution...on the part of the enemy, of course. He floats a "blue canoe", a metaphor for espionage? But then he falls asleep, or gets high in this canoe, a sleeping Sentry...to be summarily shot as well, but by his own army?

[MusicMadMaurice]

Isn't a Blue Canoe a narcotic?

[tictocq]

don't know. sounds like it should be!... but I googled it and didn't find anything. Let me know if you ever do. That would solve SOME of the mysterious lyrics written for the song.

[MusicMadMaurice]

It would certain solve "...and floated like a leaf."

[AqualungsTull]

Tumbleweed Connection.....Ive played the hell out of this albumn,8-track,cassette and CD...say what you like but this song rules...Play it at my funeral...

[crazycatholickid]

sick song

[passionateaboutmusic]

Wish I was in that blue canoe right now....nothing more beautiful than floating down the Black River in Missouri. You feel happy and almost normal when you're floating. We need all the happiness we can get, life is harsh, I heard someone say once.

[mspossum]

Uh, taking the blue canoe is committing suicide. Think about it; he talks to St. Peter.

[passionateaboutmusic]

Uh, sorry mspossum, I've been listening to that song since the 70s, and we always thought it was about a dream and the person was in despair. I have always found this song a comfort while growing up. Maybe you've heard facts about the actual lyrics, but to me, it held a different meaning....in my room, black light on. illuminating the posters on the wall, sandlewood incense burning, it was a song about what I was feeling and which road I was on and what did the future hold for me.

[KINGFISHERTHEFREAK]

From the first day that I heard "Where To Now St. Peter" I always thought of it as a song about the horror of war. I believe the liner of the Tumbleweed Connection album, it even showed a lithograph showing a soldier in war. The entire album seemed to be about the United States in the late 1800's. But each of us must come up with our own special meanings for lyrics. Freak

[passionateaboutmusic]

Thank you for your info Kingfishthefreak. As as American, I never even realized that about Tumbleweed Connection. The Civil War was definitely a dark chapter in our American History. Thanks again.

[russ2120]

Tumbleweed connection is actually about World War One. This song is about a life cut short by war. Definitely not suicide.

haha everyone thinks songs are either about drugs or suicide.

[passionateaboutmusic]

Not me..did you see my other comment? I always thought it was about finding your way in the world...that's what that burning incense and black light posters will do to you!!! Feel like a million years ago...walked into a store called Sunshine Daydreams the other day...it smelled like my bedroom when I was a teen!! Memories!!

[bigsur21]

striking video, never quite seen anything like it, how the heck did they come up with that, simply brilliant, remarkable, I mean what can I say !!!!!!!!!

[KINGFISHERTHEFREAK]

Hey there "IloveAlexisBledel689". You are very welcome. That is an unreal song, as is every cut on "Tumbleweed Connection"

[IloveAlexisBledel689]

what do you mean, unreal?? I'm french so I don't uderstand everything :)

[Jigs1girl]

Just surrender, and all will be good.

[IloveAlexisBledel689]

???

[kisforkelvin]

other worldly, fantastic

[MusicMadMaurice]

There were no singles released from Tumbleweed Connection but as you say, every track is a gem. My favourite is "Come Down in Time".

[IloveAlexisBledel689]

that's the best song ever!! my favorite! thanks for posting this.

[miketardifmoney]

Love Gettysburg and love this song. A perfect marriage of material and music. Excellent!

[KINGFISHERTHEFREAK]

Thanks Mike.  I love Gettysburg too. Blair

[neosporton]

well done. I always like this song. It sounds great live.

[fordguy1800]

yeah i totally agree good job with the show i really enjoy it