Leader of the Band - Song Lyrics

  • Originally written and performed by Dan Fogelberg (born Daniel Grayling Fogelberg on 8/13/51 in Peoria Illinois)
  • The song was written as a tribute to Dan's father Lawrence (Larry) Fogelberg, who started as the director of a military battalion band in Detroit, and who left the military and went to Peoria Illinois, where he was a high school band director for the next 31 years.
  • When Dan dropped out of college to pursue music full time, his father gave grudging permission, with the proviso that should things not work out Dan would return to school.  Thus, the line in the song "I thank you for the freedom,
    when it came my time to go".
  • The song went to #9 on the top 40 charts, and hit #1 on the adult contemporary charts in 1981
  • A popular parent dance at weddings

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 thru' 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 thru' 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 brother's 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

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 thru' 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 the living legacy
To the leader of the band

Note that the lyrics posted here are those as interpreted and performed by The Oracle Band. In a few cases we have taken some liberties with the lyrics to make them more appropriate for tasteful gatherings. Their use here is intended as an aid for people in selecting music for their wedding reception or private party, and may not be reproduced for any commercial, for-profit use.

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Oracle Band
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