[00:25.270]An only child alone and will,
[00:28.080]a cabinet maker's son.
[00:32.270]His hands were meant for different work
[00:35.000]and his heart was known to none.
[00:39.500]He left his home and went his lone
[00:42.730]and solitary way.
[00:46.830]He gave me a gift tied on
[00:49.760]I never can repay.
[01:00.300]A quiet man of music denied a simpler fate.
[01:07.370]He tried to be a soldier once
[01:10.440]but his music couldn't wait.
[01:15.050]He earned his love through discipline
[01:18.190]a thundering velvet hand.
[01:21.640]His gentle means of sculpting souls
[01:25.050]took me years to understand.
[01:29.820]The leader of the band is tired
[01:32.580]and his eyes are growing old.
[01:36.130]But his blood runs through my instrument
[01:39.740]and his song is in my soul.
[01:44.190]My life has been a poor attempt
[01:47.450]to imitate the man.
[01:51.050]I'm just a living legacy
[01:54.570]to the leader of the band.
[01:59.200]
[02:04.810]My brothers' lives were different
[02:07.510]for they heard another call.
[02:11.680]One went to Chicago and the other to St.Paul.
[02:19.120]And I'm in Colorado
[02:22.100]when I'm not in some hotel.
[02:26.680]Living out this life I've chose
[02:30.080]and come to know so well.
[02:35.960]
[03:00.260]I thank you for the music
[03:03.150]and your stories of them all.
[03:07.650]I thank you for the freedom
[03:10.160]when it came my time to go.
[03:14.730]I thank you for the kindness
[03:17.760]and the times when you got tough.
[03:22.230]And papa, I don't think I said
[03:25.810]I love you near enough.
[03:30.160]The leader of the band is tired
[03:32.830]and his eyes are growing old.
[03:36.630]But his blood runs through my instrument
[03:39.850]and his song is in my soul.
[03:44.350]My life has been a poor attempt
[03:47.320]to imitate the man.
[03:51.300]I'm just a living legacy
[03:54.650]to the leader of the band.
[03:58.990]I'm just a living legacy
[04:01.780]to the leader of the band.
[04:08.670]