Verse 1:
Take good care of what you’ve got
My father said to me
As he puffed his pipe and Baby B
He dandled on his knee
Don’t fool with fools who’ll turn away
Keep all good company
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh

Chorus:
Take care of those you call your own
And keep good company

Verse 2:
Soon I grew and happy too
My very good friends and me
We’d play all day with Sally J
The girl from number four
And very soon I begged her
Won’t you keep me company?
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh

Chorus:
Oh, marry me for evermore
We’ll be good company

Bridge:
Now marriage is an institution sure
My wife and I, our needs and nothing more
All my friends by a year
By and by disappear
But we’re safe enough behind our door

Verse 3:
I flourished in my humble trade
My reputation grew
The work devoured my waking hours
But when my time was through
Reward of all my efforts
My own limited company

Chorus:
I hardly noticed Sally
As we parted company

Bridge:
All through the years
In the end, it appears
There was never really anyone but me

Verse 4:
Now I’m old, I puff my pipe
But no one’s there to see
I ponder on the lesson of
My life’s insanity

Chorus:
Take care of those you call your own
And keep good company