He was selling dirt worms out in the summer sun
And she came by on her pedal bike
And she said "What you doing, boy?" with her cheeks full of bubblegum
And sat down on his apple box and smiled

She said "I'm missing one front tooth, but I could be some company"
So they spent that summer digging holes down by the stream

She'd say "You're my best friend, the first one I ever had."
He'd just smiled and said "I love you." without a word
He'd put some flowers in her hands
As they sat there in the sand on the bank of the river

Well, he was never good at saying what was on his heart
And those three words never came out
And she grew up and fell in love with his quiet charm
And if it hurts she didn't tell
'Cause he knew how to say 'I love you' in every other way
He tried his best to show it on their wedding day
When she said

"You're my best friend. The first one I ever had"
He'd just smiled and said "I love you." without a word
He'd put some flowers in her hands
As they stood there in the sand on the bank of the river

They had years of life and their cup overflowed
It came time for him to walk some of them alone

And he said
"You were my best friend, the only one I really had.
Oh, how I wish you could have heard me say those words."
And he put some flowers in her hands
As he layed her in the sand
And cried that he loved her
On his knees by the river