[00:25.250]An only child alone and wild
[00:28.900]A cabinet maker's son
[00:32.780]His hands were meant for different work
[00:36.370]And his heart was known to none
[00:41.390]He left his home and
[00:43.180]went his lone and solitary way
[00:48.890]And he gave to me a gift I know
[00:52.370] I never can repay
[00:52.920] I never can repay
[00:59.750]A quiet man of music
[01:03.030]Denied a simpler fate
[01:07.790]He tried to be a soldier once
[01:11.140]But his music wouldn't wait
[01:15.980]He earned his love through discipline
[01:19.230]A thundering, velvet hand
[01:23.360]His gentle means of sculpting souls
[01:27.260]Took me years to understand.
[01:34.390]The leader of the band is tired
[01:37.680]And his eyes are growing old
[01:41.690]But his blood runs through my instrument
[01:45.520]And his song is in my soul
[01:50.500]My life has been a poor attempt
[01:54.590]To imitate the man
[01:57.720]I'm just a living legacy
[02:02.250]To the leader of the band.
[02:08.960]My brothers' lives were different
[02:11.760]For they heard another call
[02:16.740]One went to Chicago
[02:20.390]And the other to St. Paul
[02:25.200]And I'm in Colorado
[02:28.050]When I'm not in some hotel
[02:32.910]Living out this life I've chose
[02:36.480]And come to know so well.
[03:01.980]I thank you for the music
[03:04.670]And your stories of the road
[03:09.840]I thank you for the freedom
[03:12.880]when it came my time to go
[03:18.030]I thank you for the kindness
[03:21.150]And the times when you got tough
[03:25.210]And papa I don't think I
[03:28.370]Said 'I love you' near enough
[03:38.600]The leader of the band is tired
[03:41.810]And his eyes are growing old
[03:45.760]But his blood runs through my instrument
[03:49.870]And his song is in my soul
[03:54.560]My life has been a poor attempt
[03:58.250]To imitate the man
[04:02.080]I'm just a living legacy
[04:08.610]To the leader of the band