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
Yesterdays paper telling yesterdays 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

And 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 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

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