When I became of age
My mother called me to her side
She said, 'Son your growing up now
Pretty soon you'll take a bride'

And then she said, 'Just because you've become a young man now
There's still some things that you don't understand now
Before you ask some girl for her 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

There's some things that I want you to know now
Just as sure as the wind's gonna blow now
The women come and the women are 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, son
Don't be sold on the very first one
Pretty girls come a dime a dozen
Try to find you one who's gonna give you true loving

Before you take a girl and say I do now
Make sure she's in love with you now

My mama told me
You better shop around

Oh yeah, try to get yourself a bargain, son
Don't be sold on the very first one
Pretty girls come a dime a dozen
Try to find you one who's gonna give you true loving

Before you take a girl and say I do now
Make sure she's in love with you now
Make sure that her love is true now
I hate to see you feeling sad and blue now

My mama told me
You better shop around

Don't let the first one get you
Oh no, 'cause I don't wanna see her with you
Before you let 'em hold you tight, yeah, yeah
Make sure she's alright

Before you let her take your hand, my son
Understand, my son, be a man, my son
I know you can, my son
I love you, shop around