He said Ani, you've gotten tough

Because my tone was curt

Yeah, and when I'm approached in a dark alley

I don't lift my skirt

In this city

Self preservation is a full-time occupation

I'm determined to survive on these shores

I don't avert my eyes anymore

In a man's world I am

A woman by birth

And after nineteen times around I have found

They will stop at nothing once they know what you are worth

Talk to me now

I played the powerless

In too many dark scenes

I was blessed with a birth and a death

And I guess I just want some say in between

Don't you understand

In the day to day

In the face to face

I have to act just as strong as I can

Just to preserve a place where I can be who I am

Talk to me now

He said Ani, you've gotten tough

Because my tone was curt

Yeah, and when I'm approached in a dark alley

I don't lift my skirt

In this city

Self preservation is a full-time occupation

I'm determined to survive on these shores

I don't avert my eyes anymore

In a man's world I am

A woman by birth

And after nineteen times around I have found

They will stop at nothing once they know what you are worth

Talk to me now

So if you still know how

You can talk to me now