Intro: G7 C Am Em D G (C/G) G (C/G) G (C/G) G
Verse:
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 leader of the band.
.(C/G) G (C/G) G (C/G) G
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've chosen, come to know so well.
. G7 C Am Em D7 G (C/G) G (C/G) G (C/G) G
(no lyrics)
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.
.
(Chorus followed by ending: )
. Am Em Am C D G
. I am a living legacy to the leader of the band
. (C/G) G (C/G) G (C/G) G G7 C Am Em D7 G
.