Streets Of London

Words and Music by :  Ralph McTell

Recorded by Harry Belafonte on:
Recording date: 1977
Playing time: 5:08
LP : CB85254

Video from 1983

 
 

Also recorded by:
Blackmore's Night ZYX Music 81898-2

Cat Stevens      
Glenn Campbell      
Gunnar Wiklund SOS Recording SOSLP001
In Swedish = Gatorna På Söder
   

Liam Clancy      
Mary Hopkin      
Ralph McTell Butterfly BF401-2  
Roger Whittaker Philips 6459-212  
Sinead O'Connor      

Lyrics:

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 by 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 on walking,
Carrying her home in two carrier bags.
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 sitting there on his own,
Looking at the world over the rim of his teacup,
Each tea lasts an hour, and he wanders home alone.
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 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.
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.