I would have returned your greeting
if it weren't for the way you were looking at me
this street is not a market

and I am not a commodity
don't you find it sad that we can't even say hello
'cause you're a man

and I'm a woman
and the sun is getting low
there are some places that I can't go

as a woman I can't go there
and as a person I don't care
I don't go for the hey baby what's your name

and I'd alone thank you
just the same


I am up again against
the skin of my guitar
in the window of my life

looking out through the bars
I am sounding out the silence
avoiding all the words

I'm afraid I've said too much
I'm afraid of who has heard me


my father, he told me the story
and it was true
for his time

but now the story's different
maybe I should tell him mine
all the girls line up here

all the boys on the other side
I see your ranks are advancing
I see mine are left behind


I am up again against
the skin of my guitar

in the window of my life
looking out through the bars
I am sounding out the silence

avoiding all the words
I'm afraid I can never say enough
I'm afraid no one has heard me


and despite all the balls that I've been thrown
and forced to drop

on the social totem pole
I'm preciously close to the top
the put you in your place

and they tell you to behave
but no one can be free
until we're all on even grade


and I would have returned your greeting
if it weren't for the way you were looking at me