Dan Fogelberg Leader of the Band lyrics

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 growin' 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
Oh, 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 your kindness
And the times when you got tough
And Papa, I don't think I said
"I love you" near enough

The leader of the band is tired
And his eyes are growin' 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
Oh, I'm just a living legacy
To the leader of the band

I am a living legacy
To the leader of the band