Leader of the Band

[pres2032]

An only child alone and wild
A cab'net maker's son
His hands were meant for diff'rent 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 thund'ring 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 diff'rent
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

[wolfgirl]

1. Just got Dan Fogelberg's

boxed set...love his words/music.

[motely36]

2. I love Dan

I was supposed to see him in November, but then he got sick. :( I hope he gets better soon and can tour again.

[vi5]

3. I saw the Language of Love video on VH1 Classics last week...

A prime example of the 80's connundrum of a great song ruined by a horrible video, due to the artist being forced to work in a medium other than their intended one.

[tyedyeto]

4. 'Run for the Roses'

My favorite Fogelberg song (and I'm a not horsie person)

Born in the valley
And raised in the trees
Of Western Kentucky
On wobbly knees
With mama beside you
To help you along
You'll soon be a growing up strong.

All the long, lazy mornings
In pastures of green
The sun on your withers
The wind in your mane
Could never prepare you
For what lies ahead
The run for the roses so red --

And it's run for the roses
As fast as you can
Your fate is delivered
Your moment's at hand
It's the chance of a lifetime
In a lifetime of chance
And it's high time you joined
In the dance
It's high time you joined
In the dance --

From sire to sire
It's born in the blood
The fire of a mare
And the strength of a stud
It's breeding and it's training
And it's something unknown
That drives you and carries
You home.

And it's run for the roses
As fast as you can
Your fate is delivered
Your moment's at hand
It's the chance of a lifetime
In a lifetime of chance
And it's high time you joined
In the dance
It's high time you joined
In the dance --

[NeoTraitors]

5. Ernest Borganine-

'I know what you kids are up to these days, with your Dan Fogelbergs...'

[Modem Butterfly]

6. I freakin' hate Dan Fogelberg

Especially that "Same Old Lang Syne" song. Everytime I hear it I get some sort of fluid that leaks out of my eyes.

Damn him!

[bbernardini]

7. We've seen him twice!

My wife is a huge fan, I'm more of a...well, let's say I tolerate him. One of the shows was solo acoustic (guitar and piano), and the other was with a band.

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

8. Probably gonna get flamed for this...

But Dennis Leary had a hilarious bit about parents who sue because of what their kids did after listening to Ozzie Osborne...

Leary: So can I sue Dan Fogelberg for turning my into a pussy back in the 70's?

I own several of his albums (tells you how long ago I bought them), so don't get too pissed at me.