When I became of age my mother called me to her side
She said 'son you're growing up now, pretty soon
You'll take a bride'...

And then she said...
'Just because you've [bad word] 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'
You better shop around

'There's some things that I want you to know now
just as sure as the winds gonna blow now
The [bad word] and the women gonna go now
Before you tell 'em that you love 'em so now
My mama told me...'you better shop around'
whoa-yeah
You better shop around

You gotta get yourself a bargain son
Don't be sold on the very first one
Pretty [bad word] a dime a dozen
Try to find one who's gonna give ya [bad word] lovin'

'Before you take a girl and say I do now
make sure she's in love with-a you now'
My mama told me
You better shop around