Leader of the band

[00:20.35] An only child alone and wild

[00:23.27] A cabinet maker's son

[00:27.25] His hands were meant for different work

[00:30.18] And his heart was known to none

[00:34.43] He left his home and went his lone

[00:37.35] In solitary way

[00:41.07] And he gave to me a gift I know

[00:44.52] I never can repay

[00:54.35] A quiet man of music denied a simpler fate

[01:01.52] He tried to be a soldier once

[01:04.18] But his music wouldn't wait

[01:08.43] He earned his love through discipline

[01:11.35] A thundering velvet hand

[01:15.33] His gentle means of sculpting souls

[01:18.26] Took me years to understand

[01:22.77] The leader of the band is tired

[01:25.69] And his eyes are growing old

[01:29.15] But his blood runs through my instrument

[01:32.86] And his song is in my soul

[01:36.85] My life has been a poor attempt

[01:40.57] To imitate the man

[01:43.49] I'm just a living legacy

[01:47.21] To the leader of the band

[01:57.04] My brother's lives were different

[01:59.69] For they heard another call

[02:03.94] One went to Chicago and the other to St Paul

[02:11.11] And I'm in Colorado when I'm not in some hotel

[02:18.02] Living out this life I've chose

[02:20.94] And come to know so well

[02:26.52] INTERLUDE

[02:46.71] I thank you for the music and your stories of the road

[02:53.88] I thank you for the freedom when it came my time to go

[03:01.05] I thank you for the kindness and the times when you got tough

[03:07.69] And papa, I don't think I said I love you near enough

[03:15.13] The leader of the band is tired

[03:17.79] And his eyes are growing old

[03:21.51] But his blood runs through my instrument

[03:24.96] And his song is in my soul

[03:28.94] My life has been a poor attempt

[03:32.66] To imitate the man

[03:35.58] I'm just a living legacy

[03:39.04] To the leader of the band

[03:42.75] I am a living legacy

[03:46.47] To the leader of the band