Leader Of The Band ~ (Lyrics)

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An only child alone and wild / A cabinet makers 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

[Chorus]
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 papa, I --- don’t think I’ve said / I love you near enough

[Chorus]

[Ending]
I am the living legacy / To the leader of the band.