I'm always fascinated by interpretations of lyrics, especially in this case, where the entire album was an autobiography of the two writers, John/Taupin. As such, the real meaning of the lyrics on this album are the most literal of any album they've done. No need to try to invent meanings. In this case, "Scarecrow" is not referring to addiction, but instead the title of one of the first songs John/Taupin wrote which was put to a demo record. So, the "he was my song" is also literal. Scarecrow was a song. The song was a joy for them, as being one of their first, but it was not up to the level that they needed to achieve, therefore sorrow as well. "Beneath this branches I once wrote such childish words for you" refers to the earliest lyrics that Taupin wrote for John, sometimes under a tree on the farm that his family lived on. He was in his teens at the time, and his lyrical skills needed to develop more in order to be successful. Once again, literal, autobiographical lyrics.