An only child alone and will,
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.
He gave me a gift tied on
I never can repay.
A quiet man of music denied a simpler fate.
He tried to be a soldier once
but his music couldn’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 them all.
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 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’m just a living legacy
to the leader of the band.