Difranco Ani The Story Lyrics

The Story Lyrics

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