Leader of the Band
Thanks to Leaning Straight Up I learned on first rising this a.m. of Dan Fogelberg’s passing. LSU posted an appropriate Fogelberg performance, but I thought this one particularly poignant (keep in mind that Fogelberg’s dad was a high school band director during Fogelberg’s youth):
A quiet man of music
Denied a simpler fate
He tried to be a soldier once
But his music wouldnt 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
Im just a living legacy
To the leader of the band.
Well, Dan, you left a musical legacy of your own. Requiescat in pace.
Posted: December 18th, 2007 under Music.
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Comments
Comment from hemnebob
Time December 18, 2007 at 11:46 AM
loved him, his poety/music and will seriously miss his contribution to our chaotic world. he softened the hard edges for me…although he and i are close in age, his music got me through the teenage years without bumping into those hard edged obstacles…i was fortunate to have been able to get to a few of his concerts…he never disappointed me and it was evident that being on stage was definitely his world and made his world complete sharing his words and music.
thanks dan, godspeed and peace and love to your family.
you will be missed.
Comment from T F Stern
Time December 18, 2007 at 9:28 AM
This is one of my wife’s favorites, always makes her cry.