[Verse 1: Ben E. King & Average White Band]
Now and again it occurs to me
I'm giving away much more than I ought to be
Oh, yes, I am
And then today I get a letter
Telling me things that I'd better not believe
But I don't know if I can (Just don't know if I can, ooh)

[Pre-Chorus: Ben E. King & Average White Band]
But you've lasted a long, long night of mistakes I've made
(Ain't gonna do it again)
I'm tired of giving my heart and soul to a masquerade
(So I'll be)

[Chorus: Ben E. King & Average White Band]
So I'm gonna be keepin' it to myself
When it fills all loved inside of me, yeah
I'll be keepin' it to myself
Baby, I cried (Baby, I tried), but it makes no difference

[Verse 2: Ben E. King & Average White Band]
I always thought that it was planned
You get everything a man has to give
You know you've got to return it
(You've got to return it, ooh)
But every time I feel my dreams (Every time)
My love is not what it seems to be
And I keep on getting burned (Keep getting burned by love)
[Pre-Chorus: Ben E. King & Average White Band]
But for now I'm gonna quit Before I commit myself
(To any woman I meet)
I'll get by without love for a while
And get into something else (Oh, oh, oh)

[Chorus: Ben E. King & Average White Band]
I'll be keepin' it to myself
When it fills all up inside of me, yeah
And I'll be keepin' it to myself
Woman, I cried (Woman, I tried), ah baby

[Instrumental Break]

[Chorus: Ben E. King & Average White Band]
(So I'll be keepin' it to myself)
When it fills all up inside of me
Well, well, I'll be keepin' it to myself
(Won't give it away)
Yeah, honey, I cried

[Outro: Ben E. King & Average White Band]
Don't you know, don't you know I tried
(Keepin' it to myself)
Hey baby, I tried (All to myself)
Ah baby, hey, and I tried
(Keepin' it to myself)
Hey, well, sugar, I tried (Won't give it away)
Say I ain't, ain't gonna tell nobody
(Keepin' it to myself)
I ain't gonna tell nobody (All to myself)
I'll be, I'll be, I'll be (Keepin' it to myself)
Well, yeah, I'll be (Won't give it away)
Hey, ain't gonna tell nobody
(Keepin' it to myself)
I'll be keepin' it (All to myself)
Hey, hey, I'll be keepin' it (Keepin' it to myself)
Sugar, I'll be keepin' it (Won't give it away)