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