Remembering Dan

Today marks the 6th Anniversary of the death of Dan Fogelberg. To honor him, I’ve uploaded a new mix of the song I wrote in his honor. I won’t wax long about Dan today. Only to say that as each year passes, the gratitude I have for his gift of music grows.

Musically, and production-wise, the song is an homage to Dan’s style. Lyrically, the song intentionally refers to dozens of Fogelberg songs. (See how many references you can find…)

What a great honor it’s been to play a part in keeping Dan’s legacy alive; from being a small part of the dedication of the memorial in Peoria in 2010, to our band’s Fogelberg Tribute shows in Texas.

It’s an enduring truth that an artist’s work lives on after them. Dan didn’t have any children. But, to us, his songs are like his children. In the truest sense, they are his “living legacy.’ This is the final the message I hope the song achieves.

Fogelberg
At home high on the mountain
Or sailing on the sea
A poet from a river town
Who set his spirit free.

A troubadour, a gambler
With his place in the world
And every time he sang his songs
Our lives are what we heard

You once thanked your father,
For giving songs to you
And we’re forever grateful
That you shared your gift too
So may we ever be…
Your living legacy.

A soundtrack for each passing year
Through all the joy and pain
Days that seemed part of the plan
Nights snow turned to rain

Along the road, you gave to us
A wisdom spelled out plain —
Like it’s always gonna to be a day
And that love is not so strange

You once thanked your father,
For giving songs to you
And we’re forever grateful
That you shared your gift too
So may we ever be…
Your living legacy.

But you left us far to soon
Cold tears in our eyes
Wondering ’bout the missing years and
Full of questions why

But maybe in your leaving
You helped us all to see
That death just keeps us honest
And reminds us we are free.

When the weary journey’s ended
And all our days are gone
Time will still our singing
But songs live ever on.
And they will ever be…
They will ever be…
They will ever be…
Your living legacy.