Leader of the Band – English Lyrics

• By: Dan Fogelberg
• Album: The Very Best Of Dan Fogelberg

Lyrics & Translation

Immerse yourself in Dan Fogelberg's poignant "Leader of the Band," a tender folk-rock ballad that beautifully articulates the deep bond between a son and his father. Through its sincere lyrics and gentle melody, you can explore themes of family, legacy, and gratitude. This song offers an intimate look into the artist's personal history, making it a powerful piece for understanding emotional expression in English songcraft and appreciating the subtleties of a heartfelt tribute.

[English]

An only child alone and wild

A cabinetmaker'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 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

...

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

...

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

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
child /tʃaɪld/ A1	noun - a young human being below the age of puberty
heart /hɑːrt/ A2	noun - the organ in your chest that sends the blood around your body
music /ˈmjuː.zɪk/ A1	noun - the art of arranging sounds in time to produce a composition
gift /ɡɪft/ A2	noun - something that you give to someone, often for a special occasion
soldier /ˈsoʊl.dʒər/ B1	noun - a person who serves in an army
legacy /ˈlɛɡ.ə.si/ B2	noun - something handed down by a predecessor
blood /blʌd/ A2	noun - the red liquid that circulates in the bodies of people and animals
eyes /aɪz/ A1	noun - the organs of sight
way /weɪ/ A1	noun - a method, style, or manner of doing something
tired /ˈtaɪərd/ B1	adjective - in need of rest or sleep
understand /ˌʌn.dərˈstænd/ B1	verb - to grasp the meaning, significance, or nature of something
attempt /əˈtɛmpt/ B2	verb - to make an effort to achieve or complete something
road /roʊd/ A2	noun - a wide way leading from one place to another
kindness /ˈkaɪnd.nəs/ B2	noun - the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate