Pro-Girl

(album: Janis Ian - 1967)

Standing on the corner, waiting for who to come by
You laugh only to cry and aid the blind
Let's go, girl
If mother only knew you lived through all the books she hid
Them that can't do, teach, your pimp has said
And you're a pro, girl
Now if flesh were the only thing you sold, might be all right
But for just five pounds, you also sell a smile
Mothers warn their kids watch out for this
Red lights change slow

Pro-girl, you know girl
Sell your soul for a sum, and it's taken by a john
Bargain well, girl

Now you want a life of loving, and it can be bought, although
Some of the best things in life are free
Don't blow it, girl
Mothers would but daren't be you, keep it locked with guns
They say, something must be done!
But send their sons so show it, girl
The headlines scream about your life, and they pretend to see you
Make you lie about the why of what you are, don't scream, girl
Serve them all, have a ball
Writers dream, but only you know

Pro-girl, you know girl
Sell your soul for a sum, and it's taken by a john
Bargain well, girl

And you're looking for a man who won't want to buy your time
You're searching down an alleyway, a garbage can
Forget it, babe
It hurts to say you work your way on through the streets of hell
Only looking for yourself to put up on a shelf
Don't let it, babe
You'll find a guy, a god, and it must be love this time
Laying at your side, his shadow splits the night
Then waken in the morning, God turns on his side
Says How much do you get, girl?

Pro-girl, you know girl
Sell your soul for a sum. You've been taken by a john
You bargained well, girl
What more do you have to sell
Pro-girl