RB: This is more fun. If I give my big bro' all these responses to read, it will keep him too busy for awhile to think of putting me in a headlock and giving me noogies, or wedgies, or charley-horses, or Indian-burns ... Okay, I'll admit it, I'm scared of famous people. I'm afraid I'd get one the servants telling me he's not 'at home', and next time please to use the tradesmen's entrance.

Sounds like the song has an American setting (all I know of it is those lines I quoted; I've never heard it) - if so, does the phraseology ring true anywhere in the States? Up here in the great north woods of Canada, "pines falling everywhere" can only mean that there is some serious clear-cutting going on ...

I'd hate to have to suggest to Mr Taupin that he got it wrong. Course, maybe Rod bumbled the opening line.