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
He gave to me a gift I know I never can repay
A quiet man of the 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
And his gentle means of sculpting souls took me years to understand
The leader of the band is tired, and his eyes are growing old
His blood runs through my instrument, 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
Now I'm in Colorado when I'm not in some motel
Living out this life I chose and have come to know so well
I thank you for the music and the 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 were tough
Sometimes I don't think I said "I love you" near enough
The leader of the band is tired, and his eyes are growing old
His blood runs through my instrument, 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
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