Leader Of The Band -- Dan Fogelberg

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 onceBut his music wouldn't wait He earned his love  Through disciplineA thundering, velvet hand His gentle means of sculpting soulsTook me

years to understand. The leader of the band is tiredAnd his eyes are growing old But his blood runs through  My instrumentAnd his song is

in my soul My life has been a poor attemptTo imitate the manI'm just a living legacy To the leader of the band.

My brothers' lives were   differentFor they heard another call One went to ChicagoAnd the other to St. PaulAnd I'm in Colorado When I'm not in some hotelLiving out this life I've chose And come to know so well.

I thank you for the musicAnd your stories of the roadI thank you for the freedom When it came my time to go I thank you for the kindness

And the times when you got toughAnd, pap, I don't think I Said 'I love you' near enough The leader of the band is tired And his eyes are growing oldBut his blood runs through My instrument And his song is in my soul -

My life has been a poor attemptTo imitate the manI'm just a living legacy To the leader of the bandI am the living legacy To the leader of the band.

This is one of Fogelberg's most personal songs. It's a tribute to his father, who was a high school band director.          (songfacts)