Since 2003, prostitution,
brothel-keeping, living off the proceeds of someone else's
prostitution, and street solicitation have been legal in New
Zealand, but when this
song was written in the 1980s, a client had to go to a
"massage parlour."
Well I'm a liberated working gal
You know Mary-Alyn is my name
Well I've been out working all night long honey
Cause I am on the game
You know my Momma taught me how to roll them dice
She also taught me how to roll the men real nice.
If you enjoy what you are doing it can't be a vice
And you can call me a professional.
Well I was only ‘bout seventeen
When I decided I was going to be a sugar queen
When those men bought diamonds to my door :
I couldn't be bothered playing dolls no more
So I put a little lipstick upon my lips
I got a bit of swing going in my hips
And I padded out all those extra naughty bits
And you can call me a professional
Well I admit I like to work out late at night
Cause I enjoy getting paid for doing what I like
I like my men big, I like them small
I guess I like any goddam man at all
Well I can’t do without them knocking on my door
When I've finished with one baby I will yell for
more
And at the rate that I've been working I won't ever
be poor.
And you can call me a professional.
Well may be you all think that I am rather crass .
But at least I'm working that’s better than sitting
on my behind
It may not be much but it’s a job I know
After all, 'm spreading happiness wherever I go
Well come on baby now close that door
When I've finished with you baby you will yell for
more
And you won't be leaving with anything more than you
bargained for
Cause you can call me a professional.
(Cheaper by the
dozen)
Call me a professional
(I take American Express Card)
Call me a professional.
Prostitution in the 1980s
When Lynn wrote this song in the 1980s, indoor
prostitution in New Zealand was governed by the
Massage Parlours Act 1978, which allowed brothels to
operate in the guise of massage parlours. However,
the act defined massage parlours as public places,
so laws against soliciting in a public place applied
to workers in parlours, and they were sometimes
raided by police posing as clients. Workers in the
parlours were also required to provide their names
and addresses to the police. Advertising the sale of
sex, running a brothel, and living off the earnings
of prostitution were still illegal.
The Prostitution Reform Act 2003
This Act of Parliament decriminalised
prostitution in New Zealand. It attracted
international attention by giving new rights to sex
workers.
The purpose of this Act was to decriminalise
prostitution (while not endorsing or morally
sanctioning prostitution or its use) and to create a
framework that safeguarded the human rights of sex
workers.
The Act protected them from exploitation, promoted
the welfare and occupational health and safety of
sex workers, was conducive to public health, and
prohibited the use of persons under 18 as
prostitutes.
