When I became of age My mother called me to her side She said, "Daughter, you're growing up now Pretty soon you'll take a bride" And then she said "Just because you've become a young girl now Don't let them fellows put you in a whirl now Before you give some boy your hand now Keep your freedom for as long as you can now" My mama told me "You better shop around Oh yeah, you better shop around" Ah, there's some things that I want you to know now Just as sure as the winds gonna blow now The men they come and the men's gonna go now Before you tell 'em that you love 'em so now My mama told me "You better shop around Oh yeah, you better shop around" Try to get yourself a bargain, girl Don't get your heart caught up in a whirl A handsome boy come a dime a dozen Try to find one who's gonna give you true lovin' My mama told me "You better shop around Oh yeah, you better shop around" Try to get yourself a bargain, girl Don't get your heart caught up in a whirl A handsome boy come a dime a dozen Try to find one who's gonna give you true lovin' Before you act a fool and say I do, now Make sure he's in love with-a you now Make sure that his love is true now I hate to see you feelin' sad and blue now My mama told me "You better shop around Oh yeah, you better shop around" Oh yeah Oh, I'm gonna shop around yeah yeah I'm gonna shop around Oh, I'm gonna give myself a bargain, mama I'm gonna shop around