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 by his side

Yesterday's paper telling yesterday 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.

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

And each tea last an hour and the wanders home along

Have you seen the old man outside the seman's mission

Memory fading with the medal ribbons that he wears?

And in our winter city the rain cries a little pity

For one more forgotten hero and a world that doesn't care.