You wait, little girl
On an empty stage
For fate to turn the light on
Your life, little girl, is an empty page
That men will want to write on
To write on

You are 16 going on 17
Baby, it's time to think
Better beware
Be canny and careful
Baby, you're on the brink
You are 16 going on 17
Fellows will fall in line
Eager young lads
And roués and cads
Will offer you food and wine

Totally unprepared are you
To face a world of men
Timid and shy and scared are you
Of things beyond your ken

You need someone older and wiser
Telling you what to do
I am 17 going on 18
I'll take care of you

I am 16 going on 17
I know that I'm naïve
Fellows I meet may tell me I'm sweet
And willingly I believe
I am 16 going on 17
Innocent as a rose
Bachelors dandies, drinkers of brandies
What do I know of those?

Totally unprepared am I
To face a world of men
Timid and shy and scared am I
Of things beyond my ken

I need someone older and wiser
Telling me what to do
You are 17 going on 18
I'll depend on you