I've never been obliged to stay in one place for too long
There's a bad seed bred inside me and it keeps me movin' on
Have I ever been persuaded to give it up and stay home?
Was I tempted by an angel? Only once, only once

Now I wanna be the kind of girl who'll only make you proud
But the noise and fuss and wanderlust will always drag me down
And if anyone should ask me, have I ever been in love
I will think of you and tell them, "Only once"

Only once did a pair of lips on mine make me cry
Only once for a pair of arms around me would I die
I will love you till I'm saved, I will love you from my grave
And love like this can happen only once, only once

All the men who try to save me weave their wicked web around me
All the ones I try to save, drink their fill and leave me lonely
Have I ever felt salvation wash me cleaner than a dove?
Was I ever nearly happy? Only once

Only once was a stupid girl allowed to tempt her fate
Only once did I think twice and twice was once too late
I'm going down like Jezebel and my body aches like hell
I share my bed just to forget, I said, "No, only once"

I will love you till I'm saved, I will love you from my grave
And love like this can happen only once, only once