Leader of the band

[00:20.07] An only child, alone and wild

[00:22.99] A cabinet maker's son

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

[00:29.90] and his heart was known to none

[00:34.15] He left his home and went his lone

[00:37.34] and solitary way

[00:40.79] And he gave to me a gift I know

[00:44.24] I never can repay

[00:54.07] A quiet man of music

[00:56.99] Denied a simpler fate

[01:01.25] He tried to be a soldier once

[01:03.90] but his music wouldn't wait

[01:08.42] He earned his love through discipline

[01:11.34] A thund'ring, velvet hand

[01:15.05] His gentle means of sculpting souls

[01:18.24] took me years to understand

[01:22.76] The leader of the band is tired

[01:25.41] and his eyes are growing old

[01:29.13] But his blood runs through my instrument

[01:32.59] and his song is in my soul

[01:36.83] My life has been a poor attempt

[01:40.55] to imitate the man

[01:43.48] I'm just a living legacy

[01:46.94] to the leader of the band

[01:56.76] My brothers' lives were different

[01:59.41] For they heard another call

[02:03.66] One went to Chicago

[02:06.86] and the other to Saint Paul

[02:11.10] And I'm in Colorado

[02:13.76] when I'm not in some hotel

[02:17.75] Living out this life I've chose

[02:20.93] and come to know so well

[02:46.69] I thank you for the music

[02:49.35] and your stories of the road

[02:53.87] I thank you for the freedom

[02:56.52] when it came my time to go

[03:00.77] I thank you for the kindness

[03:03.43] and the times when you got tough

[03:07.41] And, Papa, I don't think I said

[03:10.60] "I love you" near enough

[03:14.85] The leader of the band is tired

[03:17.78] and his eyes are growing old

[03:21.22] But his blood runs through my instrument

[03:24.95] and his song is in my soul

[03:29.19] My life has been a poor attempt

[03:32.65] to imitate the man

[03:35.57] I'm just a living legacy

[03:39.03] to the leader of the band

[03:42.74] I am a living legacy

[03:46.19] to the leader of the band