Elton John Pens Tribute to Matthew Shepard

December 13 -- British pop singer Elton John has penned a new tribute song, honoring the memory of Matthew Shepard, victim of a 1998 hate crime because of his sexual orientation.

The song, called "American Triangle" according to U.K. tabloid The Sun, includes the following lyrics: "I've been drinking there on that front porch/ Angry kids mean and dumb/ Looks like pain in that blue skyline/ God hates fags where we come from."

Shepard was 21 when two homophobic men beat him and left him to die after they met in a Wyoming bar in 1998.

John's last tribute song, "Candle in the Wind 1997," was written in honor of Princess Diana after she was killed in a car crash. Following its performance at her funeral, the song — a revamped version of a song about Marilyn Monroe — became a hit around the world.

No release date has been set for the recording, though The Sun reported that it may come out this spring.