You've been a juvenile

With a dolphin smile

With no elbow room

You've had in your little backyard

Portected by big walls

You didn't dare look over

'Cause you've been too small



Now you're finally sixteen

And you're feelin' old

But they won't believe

That you got a soul

'Cause you're only sixteen

And you're feeling real

But you can't seem to cup a feel



Why do they have to force us

Through this metamorphose

Little butterfly

No matter how you try

You'll be segregated

You're gonna be closed off

You're callow and you're green

'Cause you're caught between



You're only sixteen

Try to cross the line

But your little wings are interwined

You're only sixteen

And you're such a tease

And there's nothing you can do

That can really please



These children

They're not really bad most of them

They're just products

Of rotten neighborhoods

And bad family situations



You know you can't forsake it

So sit back and take it

You see you're just not ripe

So don't try and fight that



You're only sixteen

You wanna catch a peek

But they look at you

Like you're such a freak

Well you're only sixteen

With a lot to say

But they won't give you

The time of day



You're only sixteen!

You're only sixteen!!

You're just sixteen!!!

You poor little thing