Leader Of The Band

I'm not a huge Dan Fogelberg fan, but I was saddened to hear that he died after battling cancer.

One song of his that touched me was Leader of the Band. Right up there at the top on any "best of father/son music" list along with Harry Chapin's Cat's in the Cradle, this is one of those songs that can give you a lump in the throat the first time you hear it, and can make you stop and think almost every time you hear it.

Here's the lyrics with my emphasis added. See the link at the bottom for more on this singer/songwriter.

Leader Of The Band

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
(Chorus)
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 have 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, papa, I don't think I said 'I love you' near enough
(Chorus)
I am a living legacy to the leader of the band

Dan Fogelberg