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#This file is the author's own work and represents their interpretation of the #
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This file is for personal private use only.  All copyright laws apply.
-transcribed by Greg Steele - 
gsteele@steelerubber.com - 73522.2331@compuserve.com


"Leader Of The Band" - Dan Fogelberg

Intro: G  C  Am  Em  C D7  G

G        C/G     G               Bm              C
 An only child alone and wild, a cabinet-maker's son

    Am                   Em                     Am                 C   D7
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
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 thund'ring velvet hand
His gentle means of sculpting souls took me years to understand

(Chorus)
C                 Bm7                 C                G
The leader of the band is tired & his eyes are growing old

        Am                 Em               C             D     
But his blood runs thru my instrument & his song is in my soul

C                  Bm7         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


My brother's lives were different, for they heard another call
One went to Chicago, another to St. Paul
And I'm in Colorado when I'm not in some motel
Living out this life I chose and have 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've said "I love you" near enough
(chorus)