(+) 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 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 talkin'.
She just keeps right on walkin'
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 tea-cup.
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.