Vance Roger Miller Words and Music by Bobby Russell -peak Billboard position # 80 in 1968 Spoken: He was born one mornin' It was cold and it was snowin' And from the start he never had a chance And though the doctors said he couldn't live His mama had some faith to give 'n' they brought him to her and his mama named him Vance He was sick a long time then I used to sit by him I'd rub his head and he would squeeze my hand But he never cried, he'd grit his teeth and smile at me 'cause he couldn't speak And that's when I began to respect the little man And I think Vance was three right about then He started school and one day He came home and at the doorway I could tell The little man didn't want to come inside He had met a girl but her boyfriend Smitty Had caught him walkin' home with her And nearly killed Vance But then Vance never cried And the only thing that Smitty hurt was pride And he said (Sung) "Papa do you become a man when you're twenty-one?" And I said "Age doesn't make a man a man, my son" Spoken: He looked at me so puzzled with eyes so young and kind 'n' I think Vance was seven about that timeI guess they say that first love is the very best At least it was with Vance