The Story — текст песни (Ani Difranco)

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