Tom: G 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 lea--der 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 chose and 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 the living legacy to the leader of the band / ( C/G ) G ( C/G ) G ( C/G ) G G7 C Am Em D7 G