(R) You wait, little girl, on an empty stage For fate to turn the light on
You life, little girl, is an empty page That men will want to write on
(L) To write on
(R) You are sixteen going on seventeen
Baby, it's time to think
Better beware, be canny and careful Baby, you're on the brink
You are sixteen going on seventeen Fellows will fall in line
Eager young lads and rogues 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 an wiser Telling you what to do
I am seventeen going on eighteen I'll take care of you (L) I am sixteen going on seventeen I know that I'm naive
Fellows I meet may tell me I'm sweet And willingly I believe
I am sixteen going on seventeen Innocent as a rose
Bachelor 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 seventeen going on eighteen I'll depend on you