Last Nail - Dan Fogelberg

[ronws]

For my wife, Brenda. This song reminds her of her youth. And her father, Charley, Dec. 5, 1923 to Aug. 22, 2014. He was 90.

"Last Nail" by Dan Fogelberg

https://app.box.com/s/5jqb8gy0exzuuwf7gagz

But don't be kind to me because of our family tragedy. Treat it like any other song you would review. But I felt the need to do this tribute after she asked me to learn the song. Ironically, "Leader of the Band" makes me think of her father, a dear friend of mine. When he would call our house, he usually talked to me, more than to her. It's a "guy" thing.

Among other things, Charley was in the 9th USAF, 410 Light Bomber Group, 646th squadron, France, World War II.

He was buried with full military honors. Honor Guard, flag, full gun salute.

So, if I can be pardoned, let me bring back the song that reminds me of him, even though he never played much of an instrument, except for a guitar he had laying around the house.

"Leader of the Band" by Dan Fogelberg

https://app.box.com/s/4nj5ojgcewmht290ximx

And now, I will stop being maudlin.

But thanks for the patience and understanding of those with whom I have shared this.

[ronws]

In case you wondered what the lyrics were:

The Last Nail by Dan Fogelberg (capo up one to match album)

Intro - hammer on with C and F7

C Am7 Em Em7

I saw you running ahead of the crowd

F C G

I chased but never thought I'd catch you

C Am7 Em Em7 F

You said you loved me but you had to be free and I let you

F C G

Why did I let you

C Am7 Em Em7

We walked together through the gardens and graves

F C G

I watched you grow to be a woman

C Am7 Em Em7 F

Living on promises that nobody gave to no one

F C Em A

They were given to no one

Electric break - A D Am D

C

I started listening to the wind and the rain

You strained your ears but could hear nothing

One night I thought I heard them whisper my name

And I went running

I left a trail of footprints deep in the snow

I swore one day I would retrace them

But when I turned around I found that the wind had erased them

F C Em A

Now I'll never replace them

Electric break

(Chorus)

G Em A C

Fly away, my sweet bird, over the land

G Em A C

Take life for all the freedom you can

G Em A C

But if you ever should need a man

C A C

Well, the offer still stands

break - starts with the C to F7 hammer on again.

C Am7 Em Em7

I hear you've taken on a husband and child

And live somewhere in Pennsylvania

I never thought you'd ever sever the string but I can't blame you none

So let the ashes fall and lay where they will

Just say that once you used to know me

One last time sing that old song we used to know

F F C Em A

But this time sing - But this time sing a little more slowly

(Chorus)

Ends with a hammer on from G to C

[MDEW]

I love Dan Fogelberg, another singer/songwriter who was taken too early.

I must admit that I have never heard this song before(Last Nail). It still sounds like a page out of my own book of life. Even the part about Pennsylvania is correct. The one that never was but you thought it would be.....

Thanks for the memories.