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