RALPH McTELL

Ralph McTell (born Ralph May, 3 December 1944) is an English singer-songwriter and acoustic guitar player who has been an influential figure on the UK folk music scene since the 1960s.  McTell is best known for his song “Streets of London”, which has been covered by over two hundred artists around the world.  McTell’s guitar playing has been modelled on the style of the US’s country blues guitar players of the early 20th century.  McTell is also an accomplished performer on piano and harmonica, which he uses on a harness.

Backing Tracks

Streets Of London…

Ralph McTell Website

Streets Of London
Have you seen the old man in the closed down market
Kicking up the paper with his worn out shoes
In his eyes you see no pride
Hand held loosely by his side,
yesterday’s paper telling yesterday’s news

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 gal 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
Carryin her home in two big shopping 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 goes home alone

Have you seen the old man outside the seaman’s mission
Memory fading like the ribbons that he wears
In our winter city, the rain cries a little pity
For one more forgotten hero in a world that doesn’t care