SAND IN YOUR SHOES     

Ralph McTell

You don't so much feel dirty
You just feel like a fool
You were way past thirty
She was hardly out of school
I can understand the way you feel
Your pride's been somewhat bruised
You cried the dust from out of your eyes
But you've still got sand in your shoes,
Got a little sand in your shoes.

It's sad think of how you felt
When she was on your arm
Those burning eyes they made you melt
You heard no smoke alarm.
You look like Doctor Watson
Lost but looking for clues
And if I was Sherlock Holmes I'd say
There's still a little sand in your shoes,
A little bit of sand in your shoes.

This affair had a mercury switch
It was only a matter of time
Everyone else took cover
But you marched on down the line
And now it's blown up in your face
These things have a pretty short fuse
Like a phoenix you will rise again
But leave a little sand in your shoes,
Leave a little sand in your shoes.

To err is only human
And you ran true to form
Only the camels seem to sense
An approaching desert storm
A few grains blew up your nose
It depends on your point of view
A touch of grit between your toes
Or a little bit of sand in your shoes,
A little bit of sand in your shoes.

Remember that magic seaside day
When you were a little kid
And they said it was time to all go home
And you nearly flipped your lid
Do you recall the little sand dance
You did when you refused
It rubbed your foot but it made you smile
To feel a little sand in your shoes,
To feel a little sand in your shoes.

And you're still looking about you
At things far out of range
You say you can't help falling in love
I guess you'll never change
I love your soft shoe shuffle
It dances away your blues
You might grow old but you won't grow up
If you keep a little sand in your shoes.
Keep a little bit of sand in your shoes.