I posted this on an earlier thread about melodramatic songs:

A beautiful melodic, lyrical ballad notwithstanding it's very sentimental, although meaningful, context; one of my all-time favorite tearjerkers.

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


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

Bobby Vinton
Debut: 6/14/69
Peak: #34
Weeks: 8

Source: Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-2002 Billboard

Waylon Jennings
Debut: 5/24/69
Peak: #20
Weeks: 12

Nat Stuckey also had a #26 country hit with this song in 1978.

Source: Joel Whitburn's Top Country Singles 1944-1993 Billboard

Cruiser