Streets Of London
Composer(s): Ralph McTell
First release by: Ralph McTell - 1969
Covered by multiple other artists

Titles In Other Languages:
1973 - Straßen Unserer Stadt
2001 - Op Straat



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 
Hands 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 

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 old night cafe at a quarter past eleven 
The 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 that 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 minor ribands that he wears 
In our city winter the rain cries little pity 
For one more forgotten hero 
And a world which 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