Leader of the Band / Washington Post March

An only child alone and wild
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 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
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 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
 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
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 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 come to know so well
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 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
 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
 I am a living legacy to the leader of the band