To imitate the man
One went to Chicago
I thank you for the freedom
I'm just a living legacy
And his eyes are growing old
When I'm not in some hotel
The leader of the band is tired
But his music wouldn't wait
His gentle means of sculpting souls
My life has been a poor attempt
When it came my time to go
And your stories of the road
And I'm in Colorado
And his heart was known to none
And his eyes are growing old
His hands were meant for different work
I am the living legacy
My life has been a poor attempt
Living out this life I've chose
To the leader of the band
Denied a simpler fate
And his song is in my soul
I thank you for the kindness
To imitate the man
And, papa, I don't think
My brothers' lives were different
And come to know so well
I said, "I love you" near enough
To the leader of the band
For they heard another call
Took me years to understand
He tried to be a soldier once
And the times when you got tough
But his blood runs through my instrument
A thundering, velvet hand
And he gave to me
And the other to St. Paul
And solitary way
A quiet man of music
A gift I know I never can repay
The leader of the band is tired
He left his home and went his lone
I'm just a living legacy
And his song is in my soul
I thank you for the music
He earned his love through discipline
But his blood runs through my instrument