Ralph McTell - Streets Of London

 

 

 

Have you seen the old man In the closed-down market
Kicking up the paper, with his worn out shoes?
In his eyes you see no pride and held loosely at his side
Yesterday's paper telling yesterday's news

" 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 "

Have you seen the old girl who walks the streets of London
Dirt in her hair and her clothes in rags?
She's no time for talking, she just keeps right on walking
Carrying her home in two carrier bags

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

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

 

Spiral Staircase ('69)

 

Streets... ('75)