Goodbye, Dan Fogelberg

I have just heard the news about Dan's death earlier today, and am still very much at a loss for words. I wrote this entry about Dan about two years ago. I probably don't have a lot more to say today about Dan beyond than this tribute to him, and I hope you'll consider giving it a read tonight.

I will say, that I was thinking about Dan just two days ago, when I happened on my "Greetings from the West" video. Sat down watched the whole thing for the first time in years. Wondered at the time how Dan was doing.

Isn't it strange how sometimes we hold people in our thoughts, and are never sure why, but only later realize the reason?

The band I am in, Connections, has done a tribute show to Dan in the past few years. You can see some videos from that tribute show here. If you're in the Dallas area, I am sure we'll do a Fogelberg tribute sometime in the new year. If you sign up for my email list, I am sure you'll get the word when that comes around.

While I am very sad about Dan's passing, I am also more honored than ever to be one of those who yearns to keep his music alive. And I hope that many of you who are players and performers will consider adding some of his songs to your sets.

I know that Dan continues to have many many fans, because for the past few years people would occasionally stop by my blog to ask about his health. I never did know anything, but it taught me that he has many fans and admirers who, I am sure, are all feeling this loss tonight.

There are so many lyrics from so many songs that might be appropriate right now. I try to pay attention to the songs that pop into my head at any given moment, and the one that came to me a moment ago was "Wandering Shepherd" from High Country Snows.

It may not be his most famous song. But at this moment they'd be the words that, if I could, I'd sing to him:

Wandering shepherd, wander no more
Wandering shepherd, wander no more
Wandering shepherd, wander no more
Lay down your troubles, your worries and woes.

Traveling pilgrim, rest for the night
Traveling pilgrim, rest for the night
Traveling pilgrim, rest for the night
Sup with the Savior and drink of his Light.

Homeless believer, find here a home
Homeless believer, find here a home
Homeless believer, find here a home
You may be lonely but never alone.

Wandering shepherd, wander no more
Wandering shepherd, wander no more
Wandering shepherd, wander no more
Lay down your troubles, your worries and woes.

Rest well, Dan...