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.