Janis Ian Pro-girl Lyrics

Standin' on the corner waitin' 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
alright.
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 lovin' 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 and keep it locked in
guns.
They say, "Somethin' 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, you 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 lookin' for a man who won't wanna buy your
time.
You're searchin' down an alleyway, a garbage can.
Forget it, babe.
It hurts to say you work your way on through the
streets of hell.
Only lookin' for yourself to put upon a shelf.
Don't let it, babe.
You find a guy, a god, and it must be love this time.
Laying at your side, his shadow splits the night.
Then wakin' in the mornin', god turns on his side,
"How much do you get?"

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.