Streets of London
Ralph McTell, 1969, w/John Williams 2016· Songs Well-Known in America · p.306
Intro:
C G Am Em F C/G G C
C G Am Em (Verse Chords)
Have you seen the old man in the closed-down market?
F C/G Dm/F G
Kicking up the paper with his worn-out shoes?
C G Am Em
In his eyes you see no pride, and held loosely at his side
F C/G G7 C
Yesterday's paper telling yesterday's news
Chorus:
F Em C G/B Am Am/G
So how can you tell me you're lo - ne - ly
D7/F# 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/G G7 C
I'll show you something to make you change your mind
[Instrumental]
C G Am G
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 (Chorus)
[Instrumental]
C G Am Em F C/G G C
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 (Chorus)
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 (Chorus)