Key: G
Introduction: G7 C Am Em D G C/G G C/G G C/G G
G C/G G Bm C
An only child alone and wild, a cabinet maker' s son
Am Em Am C D
His hands were meant for different work and his heart was known to none
G C/G G Bm C
He left his home and went his lone and solitary way
Am Em Am D7 G C/G G C/G G C/G G
And he gave to me a gift I know I never can repay
G C/G G Bm C
A quiet man of music, denied a simpler fate
Am Em Am C D
He tried to be a soldier once but his music wouldn' t wait
G C/G G Bm C
He earned his love through discipline, a thund' ring velvet hand
Am Em Am D7 G
His gentle means of sculpting souls took me years to understand
C Bm C G
The leader of the band is tired and his eyes are growing old
Am Em Am F D
But his blood runs through my instrument and his song is in my soul
C Bm C G
My life has been a poor attempt to imitate the man
Am Em Am C G
I' m just a living legacy to the lea der of the band
G C/G G Bm C
My brothers' lives were different for they heard another call
Am Em Am C D
One went to Chicago, the other to St Paul
G C/G G Bm C
And I' m in Colorado when I' m not in some hotel
Am Em Am D7 G C/G G
Living out this life I chose and come to know so well
G C/G G Bm C
I thank you for the music and your stories of the road
Am Em Am C D
I thank you for the freedom when it came my time to go
G C/G G Bm C
I thank you for the kindness and the times when you got tough
Am Em Am D7 G
And papa I don' t think I said "I love you" near enough
C Bm C G
The leader of the band is tired and his eyes are growing old
Am Em Am F D
But his blood runs through my instrument and his song is in my soul
C Bm C G
My life has been a poor attempt to imitate the man
Am Em Am C G
I' m just a living legacy to the lea der of the band
Am Em Am C D G
I am the living legacy to the leader of the band