Leader Of The Band Lyrics - Singles - Fogelberg Dan

An only child 

Alone and wild 

A cabinet maker's son 

His hands were meant 

For different work 

And his heart was known 

To none -- 

He left his home 

And went his lone 

And solitary way 

And he gave to me 

A gift I know I never 

can repay 

A quiet man of music 

Denied a simpler fate 

He tried to be a soldier once 

But his music wouldn't wait 

He earned his love 

Through discipline 

A thundering, velvet hand 

His gentle means of sculpting souls 

Took me years to understand. 

The leader of the band is tired 

And his eyes are growing old 

But his blood runs through 

My instrument 

And his song is in my soul -- 

My life has been a poor attempt 

To imitate the man 

I'm just a living legacy 

To the leader of the band. 

My brothers' lives were 

different 

For they heard another call 

One went to Chicago 

And the other to St. Paul 

And I'm in Colorado 

When I'm not in some hotel 

Living out this life I've chose 

And come to know so well. 

I thank you for the music 

And your stories of the road 

I thank you for the freedom 

When it came my time to go -- 

I thank you for the kindness 

And the times when you got tough 

And, pap, I don't think I 

Said 'I love you' near enough -- 

The leader of the band is tired 

And his eyes are growing old 

But his blood runs through 

My instrument 

And his song is in my soul -- 

My life has been a poor attempt 

To imitate the man 

I'm just a living legacy 

To the leader of the band 

I am the living legacy 

To the leader of the band.