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 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, pap, 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 am the living legacy
To the leader of the band.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• dan
• fogelberg
• leader
• of
• the
• band

[caargoqueen]

This song is one my brothers, sister and I all hold close to our hearts in memory of our father. He lived his life for his kids. I have missed every single moment since he moved on to whatever we move on to when we pass, but he will live forever in my heart.

[GeneRoberts1961]

@Hibtwa91 - My Nieces went to Woodruff High School in Peoria just a few years ago. That is where Dan Fogelburg's dad spent many years teaching music...a fact that I doubt they know or would even appreciate. :(

[92december]

really <3 the song

[kikayrex]

this song will live on and on and on because of its magical beauty and great melody

[sierraproductions66]

R.I.P Grandpa. I love you

[HASKHD]

第一次大專堂比賽-Unique

[MyJhoeanne]

great song.. love it

[clazna]

@diligentsoul11 i totally agree your comment. i remember that snow storm. it was a bitch shoveling out the next day. 

[clazna]

@GeneRoberts1961 i went to woodruff high school in peoria. there was there a giant plaque in the main entrance to the school commemorating his contributions in the field of music. so there. someone appreciates and knows. but you don't take the time to look that up do you? you just rip my beloved school. i hope you take your heartless comments to some other stream like a alcoholics anonymous video...

[clazna]

@musiclyricsjake excellent follow up question, you know, since you don't care.

[diligentsoul11]

Ironically ran across this song today on my Dad's 80th B'day. Was going to travel to see him, but have to wait because of the snowstorm we just got. I remember when this song came out and I shared with my Dad and he liked it. I am sad for those who are posting here that they didn't have the Dad they needed. My heart goes out to you.

[ops660]

this is one of my favorite song