I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
When I noticed her the first time
I was outside running barefoot in the rain
She lived in the house next door
And her nose was pressed against the window pane
When she looked at me
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
We became as one and
Had a love without beginning or an end
And every day she lived with me
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
When she left me in the fall
I knew, that it would be our last goodbye
I was man enough to give her everything
She needed for a while
But in searching for a perfect love
I found that I could not give her a child
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
Now she lives a quiet life
And is the mother of a little girl
And every time I pass her house
My thoughts go back into another world.
I can see her little girl
Her nose is pressed against the window pane.
She thinks I'm a lonely man
Who wants to come inside out of the rain.
I was outside running barefoot in the rain
She lived in the house next door
And her nose was pressed against the window pane
When she looked at me
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
We became as one and
Had a love without beginning or an end
And every day she lived with me
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
When she left me in the fall
I knew, that it would be our last goodbye
I was man enough to give her everything
She needed for a while
But in searching for a perfect love
I found that I could not give her a child
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
Now she lives a quiet life
And is the mother of a little girl
And every time I pass her house
My thoughts go back into another world.
I can see her little girl
Her nose is pressed against the window pane.
She thinks I'm a lonely man
Who wants to come inside out of the rain.
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
The Days Of Sand And Shovels Lyrics as written by Doyle B. Marsh Bud Reneau
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
Add your thoughts
Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.
Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!
More Featured Meanings
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Punchline
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
American Town
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran shares a short story of reconnecting with an old flame on “American Town.” The track is about a holiday Ed Sheeran spends with his countrywoman who resides in America. The two are back together after a long period apart, and get around to enjoying a bunch of fun activities while rekindling the flames of their romance.
Page
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.