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