Leader of the Band

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 quite 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 thunderin', velvet hand

His gentle means of sculptin' 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

I'm just a livin' 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

Livin' 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 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

I'm just a livin' legacy to the leader of the band

I am the livin' legacy to the leader of the band