4668. Streets of London (Ralph McTell) Melbourne Unitarian Peace Memorial Church

As homelessness was the topic of the sermon at Sunday's service, I chose this song as my musical interlude.
"Streets of London", Ralph McTell's best-selling song, was included on his album "Spiral Staircase" (1969), and was released as a single in 1974. It was inspired by his experiences busking and hitchhiking around Europe. The actual events are based on encounters with homeless, elderly and other forgotten members of society in the city of Paris, but he thought "London" sounded better in the song. He had already written it before recording his first album, but decided not to include it as he thought it too depressing.
Lyrics and chords:
C ............................ G ...................... Am ............. Em
Have you seen the old man in the closed-down market,
F ...................... C ....................... D ............. G
Kicking up the papers with his worn-out shoes?
C ....................... G ................. Am ...................... Em
In his eyes you see no pride, hand held loosely by his side,
F .................. C ................ G7 .............. C
Yesterday's paper telling yesterday's news.
...... F ................. C ......................... Am
So how can you tell me that you're lonely
D ........................................................ G ... G7
And say for you that the sun don't shine?
C ..................................... G ............................ Am ............. Em
Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London.
F ................... C .................... G7 ................................ C
I'll show you something to make you change your mind.
In the all-night café 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 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.
Have you seen the old man outside the Seaman's mission,
Memory fading with the medals that he wears?
In our winter city the rain cries a little pity
For one forgotten hero and a world that doesn't care.
I am now posting lyrics to the information panels on all my videos. Any that are too long to post in full will be found on my website: raymondsfolkpa...

[@willy_wombat]

Moving. Brings so much memories from the 70 ties. ❤❤❤

[@raymondcrooke]

Thanks for listening. It's a great song.

[@johnleahy5853]

& yes similarly for me in the UK. It became a popular folk song in the 1970’s & 80’s & although I no longer live in the UK, it could be popular again now, especially after 14 years of Conservative government austerity! Thankyou for the video memories.

[@raymondcrooke]

@@johnleahy5853 You're welcome.

[@julane50]

This was the first McTell song that I heard .. very moving. Nice performance Raymond. ♬‧*˚✧♬‧*˚✧. Thanks for the note about Paris > London. McTell has written so many wonderful songs evoking deep feelings.

[@raymondcrooke]

Thank you for listening, Julane. I'm glad you enjoyed it.