Days Of Sand And Shovels

(album: A Man And His Music - 1974)

When I noticed her the first time I was outside barefoot in the rain
She lived in the house next door her nose was pressed against a 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
In searching for a perfect 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 every time I pass her house my thoughts go back into another world
Because I see her little girl her nose is pressed against a window pane
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