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'...

[Sings:]
And then she said...
'Just because you've become a young man now
(Man, now)
There's still some things that you don't understand now
(Son, now)
Before you ask some girl for her hand now
(My son)
Keep your freedom for as long as you can now'

My mama told me...'you better shop around'
(Shop, shop around) a-whoa-yeah
You better (uh-huh) shop around!
(Shop, shop around)
Uh-uh-uh

'There's some things that I want you to know now
(Uh-huh-...ooo)
A just as sure as the winds gonna blow now
(Uh-huh-...ooo)
The women come and the women gonna go now
(Uh-huh...ooo)
Before you tell 'em that you love 'em so now
My mama told me...'you better shop around'
(Shop, shop around) whoa-yeah
You better (uh-huh) shop around
(Shop, shop around)

'A-gotta get yourself a bargain son
Don't be sold on the very first one
A-pretty girls come a dime a dozen
A-try to find one who's gonna give ya true lovin'
(Uh-huh...ooo)
'Before you take a girl and say I do now
A make sure she's in love with-a you now'
My mama told me
(You better shop around)

[Instrumental]

Oh-hey-hey-hey
(ooooooh)
'Try to get yourself a bargain son
Don't be sold on the very first one!
(First one, first one)
A pretty girls come a dime a dozen
A try to find one who's gonna give ya true lovin'
(Uh-huh...ooo)
Before you take a girl and say 'I do' now
Make sure she's in love with a-you now
Make sure that her love is true now
I'd hate to see you feelin' sad and blue now'
My Mama told me
'You better shop around'
(Shop, shop around)
(Uh-huh 'don't let the first one get you')
(Shop, shop around)
On no,cuz I don't wanna see ya 'wicher'
(Uh-huh shop, shop around)
Uh-huh 'before you let 'em hold you tight'
(Shop, shop around)
A-yeah-yeah (shop around)
'Make sure shes alright'
(Uh-huh, shop, shop around)
'Uh-huh before you let 'em take your hand my son'
(Uh-huh, shop, shop around)
'Understand my son'
(Uh-huh, shop, shop around)
'Be a man my son'
(Uh-huh, shop, shop around)
'I know you can my son'
(Uh-huh, shop, shop around)
I love it
(Uh-huh shop, shop around)
A shop around...

Writer : ROBINSON, SMOKEY/GORDY, BERRY JR
Copyright : Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing