DAYS OF SAND AND SHOVELS
(Bud Reneau / Doyle Marsh)
Jim Ed Brown - 1970


When I noticed her the first time 
I was outside running barefoot in the rain
She lived in the house next door 
Her nose was pressed against the window pane
When I looked at her she smiled 
And showed a place where two teeth used to be
And I heard her ask her mom 
If she could come outside and play with me

Soon the days of sand and shovels 
Gave way to the mysteries of life
Then I noticed she was changing 
And I looked at her through different eyes
We became as one and knew a love 
Without beginning or an end
And everyday I lived with her 
Was like a new day dawning once again

And I've loved her since 
Every doll was Shirley Temple 
Soda pop was still a nickel
Jam was on her fingertips 
Milk was circled on her lips

After many years our love grew silent 
And at night I heard her cry
And when she left me in the fall 
I knew that this would be our last goodbye
I was man enough to give her 
Everything she needed for a while
But in searching for a pefect love 
I found that I could not give her a child

Now she lives a quiet life 
And is a mother of a little girl
And everytime I pass her house 
My thoughts go back into another world
Cause I see her little girl 
Her nose is pressed against the window pane
And she thinks I'm a lonely man 
Who wants to come inside out of the rain

And I've loved her since 
Every doll was Shirley Temple 
Soda pop was still a nickel
Jam was on her fingertips 
Milk was circled on her lips