You were born in basket in a riverboat scene
they dressed you in rags but you knew you'd be queen
they showed you the way to a slow painless death
with rouge on your cheeks an' rum on your breath
with your works in your pocket and a smile on your lips
you'd listen so calmly as they all give you tips
you never took too much notice, you just laughed in the light
as they all traded favours to have you for the night
Justine, Justine,
child of the jungle
empress and queen
yes, they're all laughing now
but you'll sit an' wait
you'll be laughing much later
when for them it's too late
In the streets of old Cairo you grew to be whole
as you leased, sold, and bartered and then bought back your Soul
as they fell at your feet and begged you to stay
but somehow their riches never got in your way
they taught you to lie, they taught you to steal
but the sad, silent sailor, he taught you to heal
you preyed in the nighttime, you hoped in the day
but none came to save you or tke you away
Justine, Justine,
lady of sorrow
heard but not seen
yes, they're all smilin' now
but you know their Fate
you'll be smiling in the future
when they're feelin' the weight
You bin scorned in the cities, abused on the farm
but the preacher's disdain never did you much harm
an' he gave you some Rain for a long, tender kiss
you'd have traded your dreams for a cool night of bliss
You rode that Horse farther than the stars in the sky
as you pin-pricked your senses and then watched them die
you're alone in the desert in the dark, violent heat
it's a-burdened your sanity and poisoned your meat
Justine, Justine,
child of the moonbeams
shadows and screens
yes, they're all drinkin' now
as your feelings abate
you'll find out what love is
when thy're all filled with hate
Some call you martyr, some say you're cute
some screw their lips up and say 'prostitute'
but they don't know your feelings of the shape that you're in
and they don't know what it's like to sweat in your skin
you stand as your Judge in the Court of Appeal
and you whisper with reverence, "can this be for real?"
but you answered your question before it was asked
as you take on new values and take off your mask
Justine, Justine,
you've taken the cure
& now you are clean
they'll mock and deride you
because you are strong
but their laughter means nothing
cos you know right from wrong
