A Tribute to Dan Fogelberg

午夜，上網聽收音機，喇叭傳來80年代當紅 DJ余劍明的聲音，她正主持一個 Dan Fogelberg 紀念特輯。她提及 Dan 寫 "Leader of the Band" 的靈感是源於 Dan 的父親是樂隊領班 ，說著說著，音樂亦響起來。聽著這首單曲，老鬼不禁拿起結他及樂譜，以僵硬的手指撥動弦線，腦海又浮現了中學時代與學長一起彈結他、一起 jam 歌 (我們同是 Dan 的粉絲)、一起比賽、一起飲維他奶、一起成為headboy & headgirl、一起走堂、一起鬥咀的日子...Dan的歌帶給我們很多美好的回憶。

i was sad when i heard the news of Dan's passing recently. He was a talent singer song writer and his best known songs, "longer", "same old lang syne" are good examples of his velvety voice and emotive lyrics which made over a dozen albums. i thought Dan is in God's choir and band now. The world was richly blessed and will continue to be, as his legacy will live in so many hearts of people.

Goodbye Dan, rest in peace.

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Lyrics: "Leader of the band" - Dan Fogelberg

An only child, alone and wild

A cabinet maker'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

(Chorus) 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

The times when you got tough

And papa, I don't think I said, "I love you" near enough