111 ~ Streets of London - Ralph McTell

Streets of London ~ Ralph McTell

"Streets of London" is a song written by Ralph McTell.
It was first recorded for McTell's 1969 album Spiral Staircase
but was not released in the United Kingdom as a single until 1974.

Streets of London ~ Ralph McTell   

Have you seen the old man 

In the closed-down market 

Kicking up the papers, 

with his worn out shoes? 

In his eyes you see no pride 

Hand held loosely at his side

Yesterday's papers telling yesterday's news 

( Chorus )

So how can you tell me you're lonely, 

And say for you that the sun don't shine? 

Let me take you by the hand
and lead you through the streets of London 

I'll show you something to make you change your mind 

In the all night cafe

At a quarter past eleven, 

Same old man is sitting there on his own 

Looking at the world 

Over the rim of his tea-cup, 

Each tea last an hour 

Then he wanders home alone 

( Chorus )

So how can you tell me you're lonely, 

And say for you that the sun don't shine? 

Let me take you by the hand
and lead you through the streets of London 

I'll show you something to make you change your mind 


And have you seen the old man 

Outside the seaman's mission 

Memory fading with 

The medal ribbons that he wears. 

In our winter city, 

The rain cries a little pity 

For one more forgotten hero 

And a world that doesn't care 

( Chorus )

So how can you tell me you're lonely, 

And say for you that the sun don't shine? 

Let me take you by the hand
and lead you through the streets of London 

I'll show you something to make you change your mind