My mama told me to be clean and behave I'd always listen, but she'd slap me in the face I never swore, I never said no dirty words I didn't play with boys, cause mama said I'd get hurt When I was a young girl, oh-oh-oh When I was a young girl, oh-oh-oh I'd walk to school and skip the cracks in the cement I used to watch the boys through the holes in the fence I kept my distance, didn't want to break the rules I knew what mama would say, but it seemed so cruel When I was a young girl, oh-oh-oh When I was a young girl, oh-oh-oh When I was a young girl Hey, mama, can I go out tonight? Please, mama, there's a party tonight Oh, daddy, won't you say it's alright? Please, daddy, won't you say it's alright? Oh, mama, I'll behave myself Promise I'll be home by a quarter to twelve Oh, daddy, won't you say it's alright? Well, tell mama it'll be alright for me Please, daddy, tell mama it'll be alright, please When I got older, all my friends began to change Since I learned to kiss the boys, things have never been the same I make my own choice now, I go my own way Don't have to worry no more about what mama might say When I was a young girl, oh-oh-oh When I was a young girl, oh-oh-oh When I was a young girl, young girl, remember When I was a young girl, young girl, I remember When I was a young girl