We tender young maids, have been courted by many
Of all sorts and trades as ever was any.
They flirted and wheedled and all had their say
but my choice is my own at the end of the day

(Chorus) My thing is my own, and I'll keep it so still
all the young lasses may do as they will.
My thing is my own, and I'll keep it so still
all the young lasses may do what they will.

The court navigator with compass and map
claimed he found a route t’would lead straight to my lap
but though he did plea with earnest demand
I'd grant him no passage to my wonderland

(Chorus)

I once passed a soldier, brave, true and strong
looking well in his tights with a weapon quite long
when it happened to drop, he fetched my kerchief
but I'd not reward him with his sword in my sheath

(Chorus)

A pirate made bold in his enterprise
And presented a ship of considerable size
his vessel was trim, with rigging held fast
But I soundly refused to climb his top mast

(Chorus)

The young oyster seller who walks by the sea
would oft raise her siren song up to me
though her sea salted wares are quite tasty to suck
neither mussel nor clam of hers would I schuck

(Chorus)

A dashing young poet came up from the strand
Seeking a muse with a quill in his hand -------------
He began to declaim in a manner most gallant
his verses were fine, but his tongue had no talent

(Chorus)

A captain I knew of his majesty’s guard
did tell me my beauty was making it hard
to stay by his king a position to boast
but I am no guard, so I quitted his post

(Chorus)

I once knew a bishop, clad all in white
who offered to shrive me at vespers that night
he bragged of indulgences yet to be shown
but I’d not let my body be biblically known

(Chorus)

A sun bronzed farmer came in from the field
He caught me at waist and begged me to yield
He reached down between us and lifted my frock
But I would not oblige him by stroking his ... chicken

(Chorus)

Now here I could reckon a hundred or more
beside all these gamesters recited before
who made their addresses in hopes of a catch,
but I would not let them anywhere near my…

My thing is my own and I keep it so still
all the young lasses may do what they will
My thing is my own and I keep it so still
UNTIL I be willing, say men what they will