Judy Garland: Sweet Sixteen

For fifteen years I've played a waiting game

I've suffered like they do in Russian plays

But if what's in store is really what they claim

I must admit that suffering really pays

For fifteen years I've been just like a prisoner in a cell

For fifteen years my life has been just - awful



From one to four was such a bore

I remember how I hated having all those people paw all over me and talk baby talk,

they'd say goo-goo, isn't she cunning. Poor dear, she has her father's nose,

ah-tic-a-tic-a-tic-a-tic-a-tic-a. The years from five to eight I hate, I've grown into a

very unattractive child and consequently was utterly and completely ignored. But

I didn't really mind, I had a book of Mother Goose and Mother Goose is pretty

hot stuff when you're five years old.



At nine I had the measles so that didn't count. At ten I'd reached the performing

stage and at the drop of a hat mother would call me in and have me sing The

Rosary for her guests. I never will forget how papa used to squirm when I hit

that high note.



From eleven to thirteen I'd rather not speak of. It was bad enough having

Jimmy Doogan pull my hair in school but it was positively humiliating to have

my own mother refer to me as her dear little ugly duckling



At fourteen I had my first taste of romance. It was at a party at dancing school

and he was younger than I was, shorter than I was. Oh but he had a wonderful

name - Archibold. And he really like me too, he really did but I had to go and

spoil it all. I asked him right out if he'd be my best beau. That was the last I ever

saw of him.



By now I was fifteen and pretty miserable. Mother refused to let me wear any lipstick

or rouge and I went around looking as pale as death. It was then that I decided to join the

monastary. And I would have too, if it hadn't been for Bing Crosby. I was afraid they wouldn't

have any radios in manastaries. So, I devoted my fifteenth year to Kraft cheese.



But now it's a different story, I can brush away the tears

And lau-augh at those awful fifteen years - For now I'm ...

Sweet Sixteen and I've got my first long dress

I can even have a date one night a week

I can paint my lips a little and rouge my cheeks

I'm sweet sixteen but I really must confess

Although this grown up life isn't simple

I wouldn't change places with Shirley Temple

Gee it's great to be just as free as the birds - above me

I'm a Juliet out to get a Romeo to love me

I ask you, please forget that I was an in-between

I mean my flags unfurled, I'm a woman of the world

I'm sweet sixteen...