Lyrics of 'A Sailor's Not A Sailor ('Til A Sailor's Been Tattooed)' by Irving Berlin

[As sung by Mitzi Gaynor and Ethel Merman:]

[Merman:] I'm an old salt
[Gaynor:] I'm a young salt
[Both:] In the Navy we've been working very hard
[Merman:] I was part of the Flotilla with Dewey in Manila
[Gaynor:] I'm a new recruit at the Brooklyn Navy yard

[Both:] Tonight we're on a spree and feeling flow'ry
[Both:] We've got a date with gals and drink and food
[Gaynor:] Across the Brooklyn Bridge and to the Bow'ry
[Merman:] And I'm gonna get the kid tattooed
[Gaynor:] Tattooed?
[Merman:] Tattooed!
[Both:] A sailor's not a sailor 'til a sailor's been tattooed

[Merman:]
Here's an anchor from a tanker
That I sailed upon when first I went to sea
Here's another of my mother
Takes me back to when I sat upon her knee
Here's a crimson heart with a Cupid's dart
Here's a Battle Cruiser and when I sit down
On that, too
There's a tattoo
Of my home town

[Gaynor:] To the Bow'ry
[Merman:] To the Bow'ry
[Gaynor:] 'Cross the Brooklyn Bridge and I'm just in the mood

[Merman:]
He'll be filled with diff'rent mixtures
And covered up with pictures

[Gaynor:]
I can't wait to be, 'twill be great to be tattooed

[Merman:] Tattooed?
[Gaynor:] Tattooed!
[Both:] A sailor's not a sailor 'til a sailor's been tattooed