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 

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