Thank you for this, I first heard this played at an open mike night in Clevedon, Royal Oak, near Bristol and thought this is a tune proud Englishmen should be be proud of.
From Canada! I think more highly of England partly because of the Internet. I'm Catholic too, actually a retired priest with German & Irish roots! My Father used to take me to the Hamilton Market; it was the largest open market "in the British Empire"! Canadians defended Hong Kong in WW ll. Despite its faults, England gave us the English language & stable government, not to mention Winston Churchill. I loved "There will always be an England". We have Victoria Parks & Steets all over Ontario!
I am from "England" 12 miles from where Shakespeare was born....why are we proud?
Let us start with a little question...how much use would the INTERNET be without the English language ?.....it is not a coincidence that it is used it is because the English took it to the world. If our only gift to the world was to help the world communicate with each other it certainly makes this a special land.
Im guessing your not from Briton then- perhaps america?. Think of the countries of the UK as the states of america or the countries of North American continent.
Your all from N America but if i compared a Canadian to a Mexican theyd be completely different.
Thanks for the posting and thank heaven for such a beautiful song. One of Ralph's finest. No politics, just an expression of love for our beautiful country which we can surely all take pride in regardless of race, colour or creed.
@spectrum99122 So many different cultures, religions and nationalities have contributed to the making of England or rather the united Kingdom as we know it today, good and bad. We are constantly evolving and challenging old ideas and concidering new ones, so being predudice and negative to other cultures just delays our progress. When Ralph wrote this song it was saying about all the things he thought made us special and unique, something you will never grasp i doubt.
Hi, It was released as a single, many years ago. As far as I know it is not on any other release. By the way the "B" side is just as good called "The Grey Sea Strand" I have been after that for many a year, but without success.
Everything this guy does is beautiful! I've been a fan for decades - seen him live on countless occasions. He can say more in a few words than most can in dozens. Thoughout really sad times, reflective times, happy times, joyful times.. I often think " This is just like that Ralph McTell song" (There's one to suit every situation). And as if his lovely nature, beautiful words, lovely tunes weren't enough:..... He's also an outstanding guitarist.!! Good old Ralph.................
Why this man has never "Made it Big Time" I just don't know. He has a modest nature and can articulate feelings into all of his songs. Why do people waste their time on and money on foul mouthed substandard groups, no names but I'm sure that you can think of a few.
@quicksilver300 The reason that he and other beautiful artists never make it big is because they dont pander to the corperate machine. Pop music is about money. Art is about beauty. That is why most great music is hidden. /Which I for one am happy with. Let the masses have their justin biebers and never know real musical beauty
it's a beautiful song and anoyne who has ever been to england for any length of time should/will appreaciate it. it#'s a declaration of love for the place where you were born. it's beautiful and I as an Irishman say that with 100% sincerity. macmór
C'mon, why did this not become a hit? Fantastic song that really tugs at the heart strings of any true Englishman. Never mind Streets of London Ralph, this is your finest work. Get this rereleased for the World Cup - someone out there must listen!
I'm not English, but I have been over there seven times since 1970....every spring I get such a strong desire to go over there. This song really resonates!
Ralph has been a solid and formidable column of British Folk Music . If you were around in London from the late 1960s and well into the 1970s Ralph's Music would have become part of your own experience of that period. Ralph will always remain one of the true and genuine folk Artists Britain has ever known. And that's my own humble opinion of this great artist.
Ralph's purpose for this song was not to wave any flags, but I would love to see him write an English anthem. He would probably show England free of archaic references, and the alllusions that the racist and the chauvinistic like to claim for their select people. I believe he could write something more relevant than "Land of Hope and Glory", "Jeruasalem" and "God The Save Queen". England is more beautiful than what we've heard in those anthems.
sue121066,people from southern ireland are irish,im from northern ireland and call myself british. Unfortunately i can never be english but am proud to be british.
thanks hurtbert...so lets just leave the mobs (including politicians) for themselves. they just don´t want to admit how much we got in common. :)
an english friend said, germany and england are like siblings - loving each other but having different opinions sometimes. and than he said "i don´t remember any different thought though - cheers to us" :)
It sounds like just another Englishman, before the Idiot Charlie Marred Dianna. Failed to produce a child! So Andrew had to do it for him. Now they lie to cover up, just another lie. After Dianna is dead.
I'm not racist and I have many friends who's families hail from all different countries, and they are as proud to be as English as I am. (My ancestors were French and Welsh). HAPPY ST GEORGES DAY FOLKS!!!
apparently politicians think its racist to be a patriot these days and as a result of this it doesn't mean anything to be English any more 2 world wars fought by decent men and women,
It's great living here. I've got a CCTC camera pointing at my front door 24 hours a day. 100 yards away from my flat there's a gigantic array of cancer-radiation spewing mobile phone transmitters. I'm banned from having a ciggy and a beer in the pub. Yeah, it's great living here. good old England.
you should become an MP then you can smoke in the house of lords get free drinks.Oh and maybe you could join a gentlemens club they smoke in there too, no cctv in there just aload of old bores making rules for us idiots
I, am a proud Welshman, we are sporting rivals and sibling rivals, but thats about it put the four of us with each other and we are a great team, great song.
I;m Irish and very proud of my heritage. However, I have in England for over 20 years and have a deep affection for many of it's people and places. English heritage runs as deep as any so be as proud as any of your heritage and your home. Just don't let the facists steal your flag and proclaim Englishness as something to be feared.
Apples091, thanks for your kind recognition of England's heritage. I believe in an inclusive England too, but PC politicians who don't even want people to wave a St George flag are a menace and have their own agenda.
By the way I've travelled throughout Europe and stayed a couple of years ago in Waterford. As far as I'm concerned Ireland and the Irish are the tops.
Being proud of where you come from does not make you a nationalist, nor a member of the BNP.
It is about respecting other countries, but being proud of the heritage and ways of the people of your own, be it traditional farming culture or the mad rush of the city.
People from Scotland say they are Scottish, people from Wales say they are Welsh, people from Ireland say they are Irish, people from ENGLAND want to say they are ENGLISH!! NOT BRITISH!
@sue121066 The British do not have a strong national identity.how is is possible that three different groups share a land called "Britain" or the "UK" and are countries within one making them all British?this has been so confusing to me and still it's today.
@nostalgiamelancolia1 I am British and very proud to be British and English i class myself as both. Think of being English or Scottish as individual from British with different identifiable traits. Scottish people are very proud and i am proud to be English. Its just a feeling you get which is what the song tries to convey. Being British is more Scottland and Englands unification to end war that tore the country apart. Now read up on Britains role withing the world, we have achieved a lot
British society has come to the stage that to be proud of being English is considered racist. I think that it is a pathetic when we have got to a stage that to say that you love your country means that you are Nationalistic and that you hate feigners.
"It's just a way to try to say what England means to me."
Well, I can't say I'm a big fan of nationalism-speaking songs either (from the other hand, I can't say I'm not :)) but this one is different, exceptional and beautifully written. Much more than the ones I've heard recently, at least.
Ralph McTell - Streets Of London is also well worth a listen.
Quite. I hate nationalism but I appreciate being English, and this song acknowledges that England changes, in religion, colour and attitude. And that's why I like being English. I mean, who'd be Austrian?
I happen to agree with you regarding England, cobber. But dont you think there's a little bit of nationalism in your comment about Austria (even if that's true)?
A lot of this song is about the land and the country rather than the English as a race so I think it avoids that nationalism that sees you branded as a BNP member.
Ralph wrote a song called 'the Ferry Man' in around 1970... a total classic... Please explore the work of this great fella.... a genius... long may he live.
Back in the 70's Birmingham was the place to play, I played with Harvey Andrews and Ralph McTell and Clifford T Ward at the Ian Campbell Folk club (Alis Dad of UB40)and even Pual Simon. Hey now Im 56 and still knocking it out. Happy days
The thing that I really cannot get over though is that ALL other peoples and countries are allowed to love their country and be proud of it...so why the fuck can an Englishman not be allowed to do the same without people branding him/her a racist??
THAT is what the damn BNP have given Englishmen...
"And on that day," wrote Saladin's scribe, Beha al-Din, with both disdain and admiration, "the King of England, a lance in his hand, rode down the whole length of our army, and none of our men did come forth to challenge him."
They know only of what they see....but that is the3 same in all counrtries I ahve lived in or visited...parochialness abounds.
I now live in the US...one of the most xenaphobic nations I know of...but real friendly people most of the time...ah well..humans..love 'em or hate 'em, they're all we got!!
Ralph is just giving a musical voice to his thoughts and feelings..........nothing more or less deeper than that......thoughts and feelings in this way are from the heart and miss out all hose self serving political viewpoints....I reckon when we all think of England it isn't like the real England as it seems today?
Yeah, I agree ElvenBickers. The Poles who work at my local D.I.Y store - you know, the type who can barely string a sentence together - are definitely saving this nation.
And as for the Somalian immigrants who congest my G.P's surgery, they make a priceless contribution when it comes to "saving" this nation.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Dominator: No, I don't know what 'type' to which you are referring. I do know that you and Hitler could have been good mates whilst having a pint.
In terms of the statement you're referring to; you might want to clear your very disturbed and miniscule mind of the hateful cobwebs and realize that it was DavidQuantick; the poster of this video who made that statement.
Nothing wrong with an artist being romantic about England - strange how the Scots reckon everybody hates the English yet the world wants to live in England!
Love the song. I coould be on the golden Shropshire hills, or rolling Devon hills. Saw him playing live 34 years ago in Cardiff. Despite being Welsh I love the song and Shropshire and Devon.
I don't want to detract from Ralph's songwriting because i've become a huge fan of his since discovering him on YT. But this -i'm sorry to say - is romantic nonsense. This must've been written a LONG time ago because the England Ralph eulogizes over is no more.
I think this is a lovely song and video DavidQuantick. I feel the same way about Canada. I think this song will entice me to visit England. Unfortunately, things change in every country but the heart that makes a country stays the same. Thanks for the post.
Thank god i found this video,put the word england in a search engine nowadays and all you get is negative comment especially from the scots (not all)i live in a small town surrounded by countryside with many different nationalities with not many social problems,this song to me tells of the real england.thanks for publishing.
This song reminds me of when I was a little girl,I'm listening on a grey thurs afternoon.I feel quite nostalgic.Oh well,off to the supermarket.Life goes on.....
Stunning! What a beautiful melody, passionate, moving. Not nationalistic at all. Ralph is talking about the beautiful heart of the country. One of the great love songs. All the greater because he avoids banging a drum. (Oh, by the way, I'm from Scotland!)
the last two comments ( what planet are you on???) this has nothing to do with nationalism to an extreme degree. this guy wrote classic FOLK!!! ITS POETIC!! NOT POLITIC!!ENGLISH FOLK AT ITS BEST.
Thanks, sstv01. I despise racism, nationalism and such crap, and imagine McTell does too. This is a song about the allure of England as a place and an idea and part of that allure is the constantly changing ethnic mix. So sod off and listen to Morrissey if you want to find BNP anthems.
No problem at all mate! thank you for posting such a beautiful song it certainly lets you use your imagination! execept those mindless few who tend to think otherwise. its a real shame that these days alot of artists have to resort to singing (if you can call it singing) about guns and violence! which is more pleasing to the ear? you decide.
Could just as easily be about the lovely place I live, in New England, USA...Vermont, the Green Mountain stats. Looks a lot like the west country of England, near Glastonbury, Bristol and Bath. Beautiful enough to make you cry if it catches you unaware...like this song...
I took a girl on a first date to the Main Point in Bryn Mawr Pennsylvania,USA.A little cafe where we sat 15 feet away.She did'nt want to go at first but she was thrilled later.Karen do you remember.Are you out there. Year was 1977.Love Tom
I think it was the great Flashman who said " If you can stand in front of your god and say that you are an Englishman and a gentleman, that I think you will find is enough".
I am British, but been living abroad for nearly 30 years. It's beautiful songs like this, that make me regret turning my back on God's most wonderful country....there ain't no place like 'ome!
dejay823... i sometimes think about leaving england but dont think i could deep down.just always remember that you won the lottery of life when you were born british
Thank you for this, I first heard this played at an open mike night in Clevedon, Royal Oak, near Bristol and thought this is a tune proud Englishmen should be be proud of.
denbytree 1 month ago in playlist Favorite videos
From the days when it was the singer before the song, oh i remember those days so well. A sheer talent to enjoy. Thanks for sharing it with us all.
nv7103 2 months ago in playlist Ralph McTell
PLEASE SEND IT!
felixogabbe 3 months ago
From Canada! I think more highly of England partly because of the Internet. I'm Catholic too, actually a retired priest with German & Irish roots! My Father used to take me to the Hamilton Market; it was the largest open market "in the British Empire"! Canadians defended Hong Kong in WW ll. Despite its faults, England gave us the English language & stable government, not to mention Winston Churchill. I loved "There will always be an England". We have Victoria Parks & Steets all over Ontario!
watchful38 4 months ago
I am from "England" 12 miles from where Shakespeare was born....why are we proud?
Let us start with a little question...how much use would the INTERNET be without the English language ?.....it is not a coincidence that it is used it is because the English took it to the world. If our only gift to the world was to help the world communicate with each other it certainly makes this a special land.
gnwillou 4 months ago
what the heck! why can't I find this song anywhere? , please someone who could do me a great favour and send it.
felixogabbe 5 months ago
The secret about England is we don't wave flags or constantly bang on about our culture. We just get on with it.
DavidJPitt 8 months ago 3
@nostalgiamelolcholia1
Im guessing your not from Briton then- perhaps america?. Think of the countries of the UK as the states of america or the countries of North American continent.
Your all from N America but if i compared a Canadian to a Mexican theyd be completely different.
Sonicshadow191 10 months ago
Peace be upon today's troubled England!
nostalgiamelancolia1 10 months ago
At the beginning of this video he sounded so similar to Cat Stevens!
bdvzim 1 year ago
england smells haha Ireland and Scotland go brath !!
FinuteD1 1 year ago
This is 'lovely'. It's a collection of personal poetic phrases and thoughts that unmusical people like me need people like Ralph to do it for us....
only1eebo 1 year ago
Thanks for the posting and thank heaven for such a beautiful song. One of Ralph's finest. No politics, just an expression of love for our beautiful country which we can surely all take pride in regardless of race, colour or creed.
twangalot 1 year ago
I wonder how this will be viewed when we are all dead and buried. Will they be singing about the beauty and magic of the Mosques?
spectrum99122 1 year ago
@spectrum99122 So many different cultures, religions and nationalities have contributed to the making of England or rather the united Kingdom as we know it today, good and bad. We are constantly evolving and challenging old ideas and concidering new ones, so being predudice and negative to other cultures just delays our progress. When Ralph wrote this song it was saying about all the things he thought made us special and unique, something you will never grasp i doubt.
persephone608 11 months ago
@persephone608 That would be a no then.
spectrum99122 11 months ago
Where can i buy this song its awesome I love his voice but cannot find this song on his albums
noo2000 1 year ago
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ict1957 1 year ago
@noo2000 Play.com. It's on his Water Of Dreams CD
ict1957 1 year ago
@noo2000
Hi, It was released as a single, many years ago. As far as I know it is not on any other release. By the way the "B" side is just as good called "The Grey Sea Strand" I have been after that for many a year, but without success.
Does anybody have it to put on "The Tube"?
quicksilver300 1 year ago
We need to be proud to be English every minute of the day, not just when eleven over-paid plonkers are kicking a ball.
.
One day England will be a free Nation again.
.
bangersnmash4me 1 year ago
I like this one.
annie482000 1 year ago
Whets my appetite for Ralph on tour in a couple of months! Planning to see him at Braintree Essex
elpedro444 1 year ago
Everything this guy does is beautiful! I've been a fan for decades - seen him live on countless occasions. He can say more in a few words than most can in dozens. Thoughout really sad times, reflective times, happy times, joyful times.. I often think " This is just like that Ralph McTell song" (There's one to suit every situation). And as if his lovely nature, beautiful words, lovely tunes weren't enough:..... He's also an outstanding guitarist.!! Good old Ralph.................
johnrichardkirk 1 year ago
Why this man has never "Made it Big Time" I just don't know. He has a modest nature and can articulate feelings into all of his songs. Why do people waste their time on and money on foul mouthed substandard groups, no names but I'm sure that you can think of a few.
quicksilver300 1 year ago
@quicksilver300 The reason that he and other beautiful artists never make it big is because they dont pander to the corperate machine. Pop music is about money. Art is about beauty. That is why most great music is hidden. /Which I for one am happy with. Let the masses have their justin biebers and never know real musical beauty
channelyourvoice 1 year ago 2
@channelyourvoice Well said.
EggBagg26 1 year ago
it's a beautiful song and anoyne who has ever been to england for any length of time should/will appreaciate it. it#'s a declaration of love for the place where you were born. it's beautiful and I as an Irishman say that with 100% sincerity. macmór
technischesKO 1 year ago
C'mon, why did this not become a hit? Fantastic song that really tugs at the heart strings of any true Englishman. Never mind Streets of London Ralph, this is your finest work. Get this rereleased for the World Cup - someone out there must listen!
smoothmicra 1 year ago
People from England do say we are English! Do the same
English and proud
davmccorm 1 year ago 2
@davmccorm English and proud from Preston, Lancashire :)
aelfredhauscarl 1 year ago
I'm not English, but I have been over there seven times since 1970....every spring I get such a strong desire to go over there. This song really resonates!
rocktenniscat 1 year ago 2
Ralph has been a solid and formidable column of British Folk Music . If you were around in London from the late 1960s and well into the 1970s Ralph's Music would have become part of your own experience of that period. Ralph will always remain one of the true and genuine folk Artists Britain has ever known. And that's my own humble opinion of this great artist.
ZadZadrack 1 year ago
Ralph's purpose for this song was not to wave any flags, but I would love to see him write an English anthem. He would probably show England free of archaic references, and the alllusions that the racist and the chauvinistic like to claim for their select people. I believe he could write something more relevant than "Land of Hope and Glory", "Jeruasalem" and "God The Save Queen". England is more beautiful than what we've heard in those anthems.
Elp35 1 year ago
best song ever
true
yarmouthwolf 1 year ago
Well said Sue121066. As a very proud English man, I always refer to my self as ENGLISH , neve BRITISH. Happy St Georges day...
kjknl5 1 year ago 2
sue121066,people from southern ireland are irish,im from northern ireland and call myself british. Unfortunately i can never be english but am proud to be british.
natman1945 1 year ago 3
true love this song iam german
yarmouthwolf 1 year ago
If you like this, you will love June Tabor singing A Place Called England
gentianlady 1 year ago
where is this film? what part of England?
IrishandFolkmusic 1 year ago
@IrishandFolkmusic it's London to Devon.
DavidQuantick 1 year ago
@DavidQuantick That would have some view...until you got into London anyway.
IrishandFolkmusic 1 year ago
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@DavidQuantick I was in Great Britian twice in the 80's. I love it. We drove from London through Devon...love that clotted cream! :-)
I am sure so much has changed now.
booknplays 1 year ago
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@hurtbert
thanks hurtbert...so lets just leave the mobs (including politicians) for themselves. they just don´t want to admit how much we got in common. :)
an english friend said, germany and england are like siblings - loving each other but having different opinions sometimes. and than he said "i don´t remember any different thought though - cheers to us" :)
mcs83bo 1 year ago
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mcs83bo 1 year ago
well well english people...
i will never understand why some of your and my fellow countrymen don´t get along. only because of a long ago dark past?
all english people i have to deal with have the biggest hearts and are the trustworthy persons...
kind regards from germany. :)
mcs83bo 1 year ago 3
@mcs83bo i will join my voice to hertburt - i like the germans - now lets all join arms and sort out those tripledamned frenchies
doomedpoet 1 year ago 2
Stunning with the magic only Ralph could produce.
5***** and straight to favourites..
Tony :-)
Derwentcub 1 year ago
Oh for a summer day, and a nice Triumph T/bird, cruising the lane with myfavourite lady on pillion.
geeljay 2 years ago
Who made the film? Really lovely...
Jewsharpgirl 2 years ago
Thanks! It was me on my phone on a train!
PS Love your playing.
DavidQuantick 2 years ago
Beautiful! made me cry. Love and thanks for posting, from an english ex-pat.
mymagnoliatree 2 years ago
love my country well done mate
pac750xl 2 years ago 8
Ralph says 'just listen to the words'. He would know. The words could apply to anyone,s place of birth. Please, just listen and appreciate.
geeljay 2 years ago 5
Beautiful song. I've always loved Ralph's voice.
DaveBond21 2 years ago 4
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Great tune. Proud to be English? Dunno. Reckon there is more to be sorry for. Proud? Maybe some day, but not yet, sorry.
justinshealy 2 years ago
Love it.
Poopaloo55 2 years ago 4
Why is everyone arguing? Listen to the music and enjoy it, or atleast don't comment if it's not about the music!
OmaniMe93 2 years ago
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choupoff 2 years ago
beatuiful song.
24djb 2 years ago 4
Another Burns? (Copy). Burns and Fender: ruled.
Grifiki 2 years ago
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It sounds like just another Englishman, before the Idiot Charlie Marred Dianna. Failed to produce a child! So Andrew had to do it for him. Now they lie to cover up, just another lie. After Dianna is dead.
Grifiki 2 years ago
you know our boys in the trenches would have sung this song
teggwestbrook 2 years ago 2
he sounds like mark knopfler. fantastic voice
Murphication 2 years ago 2
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Croagh 2 years ago
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fucking england !
txzypma 2 years ago
Gewiss!
DavidQuantick 2 years ago
Happy Saint George's Day everyone!
DavidQuantick 2 years ago 7
@DavidQuantick you too my friend
roaduser 1 year ago
I'm not racist and I have many friends who's families hail from all different countries, and they are as proud to be as English as I am. (My ancestors were French and Welsh). HAPPY ST GEORGES DAY FOLKS!!!
hammertime0202 2 years ago 5
apparently politicians think its racist to be a patriot these days and as a result of this it doesn't mean anything to be English any more 2 world wars fought by decent men and women,
and its all comes down to the question
for what?
long live England + the English man,
EddieBrownnn 2 years ago 5
St. George is the patron saint of Aragon, Catalonia, England, Ethiopia, Georgia, Greece, Lithuania, Palestine, Portugal, and Russia,
As for England I'm with Daniel Defoe -
A true-born Englishman's a contradiction,
In speech an irony, in fact a fiction.
Since scarce one family is left alive,
Which does not from some foreigner derive.
DavidQuantick 2 years ago
for england and saint george
duncanrs 2 years ago
I'm proud to be English!
tangiblethinking 2 years ago 6
As am I! Love this song.
BipolarPete 2 years ago 2
Proud to be English? Well you didn't have much to do with it, did you?
MarxBakuninMe 2 years ago
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malachy1847 2 years ago
I had this song on cassette many years ago and it was nicked from my opentop car. I've always loved it and am delighted to hear it again. Thanks.
SusieEbenezer 2 years ago
I heard this song on the Queen Mary 2 sung by a friend of Ralph's. Very well done mate.
cbrink74 2 years ago
It's great living here. I've got a CCTC camera pointing at my front door 24 hours a day. 100 yards away from my flat there's a gigantic array of cancer-radiation spewing mobile phone transmitters. I'm banned from having a ciggy and a beer in the pub. Yeah, it's great living here. good old England.
xwsftassell 2 years ago
you should become an MP then you can smoke in the house of lords get free drinks.Oh and maybe you could join a gentlemens club they smoke in there too, no cctv in there just aload of old bores making rules for us idiots
vevejay 2 years ago
I, am a proud Welshman, we are sporting rivals and sibling rivals, but thats about it put the four of us with each other and we are a great team, great song.
jmdm1957 2 years ago 2
Just read your comment...cheers! You truely understand what being patriotic is all about :)
hammertime0202 2 years ago
"The echo from the green hills runs through our city streets." Great song, thanks for posting :)
TamBellyDadMomom 2 years ago 2
great song greatest country in the world
aceicewr 3 years ago 6
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Sh4d0w22 3 years ago 3
im actaully from the netherlands is it wrong for me to really like this song?:)
Sh4d0w22 3 years ago 2
A beautiful song sung by a master songwriter.Chris from scotland
opdesign 3 years ago 3
Nice live performance.
msscoventry 3 years ago
I;m Irish and very proud of my heritage. However, I have in England for over 20 years and have a deep affection for many of it's people and places. English heritage runs as deep as any so be as proud as any of your heritage and your home. Just don't let the facists steal your flag and proclaim Englishness as something to be feared.
apples091 3 years ago 8
Apples091, thanks for your kind recognition of England's heritage. I believe in an inclusive England too, but PC politicians who don't even want people to wave a St George flag are a menace and have their own agenda.
By the way I've travelled throughout Europe and stayed a couple of years ago in Waterford. As far as I'm concerned Ireland and the Irish are the tops.
anglotim 3 years ago
Being proud of where you come from does not make you a nationalist, nor a member of the BNP.
It is about respecting other countries, but being proud of the heritage and ways of the people of your own, be it traditional farming culture or the mad rush of the city.
It is a song about peace.
English ad proud.
autobren 3 years ago 28
People from Scotland say they are Scottish, people from Wales say they are Welsh, people from Ireland say they are Irish, people from ENGLAND want to say they are ENGLISH!! NOT BRITISH!
sue121066 3 years ago 34
@sue121066 I totally agree with you and although I have lived in Northern Ireland for the last thirty five years I'm still English and proud of it
j1315p 1 year ago
@sue121066 The British do not have a strong national identity.how is is possible that three different groups share a land called "Britain" or the "UK" and are countries within one making them all British?this has been so confusing to me and still it's today.
nostalgiamelancolia1 1 year ago
@nostalgiamelancolia1 I am British and very proud to be British and English i class myself as both. Think of being English or Scottish as individual from British with different identifiable traits. Scottish people are very proud and i am proud to be English. Its just a feeling you get which is what the song tries to convey. Being British is more Scottland and Englands unification to end war that tore the country apart. Now read up on Britains role withing the world, we have achieved a lot
kanyewesty911 11 months ago
@sue121066 Exactly greatest nation on Earth
burnley5960 8 months ago
British society has come to the stage that to be proud of being English is considered racist. I think that it is a pathetic when we have got to a stage that to say that you love your country means that you are Nationalistic and that you hate feigners.
We are so good at making ourselfs feel ashamed
nosgothgbr 3 years ago 6
"It's just a way to try to say what England means to me."
Well, I can't say I'm a big fan of nationalism-speaking songs either (from the other hand, I can't say I'm not :)) but this one is different, exceptional and beautifully written. Much more than the ones I've heard recently, at least.
Ralph McTell - Streets Of London is also well worth a listen.
Nimrodner 3 years ago 2
Quite. I hate nationalism but I appreciate being English, and this song acknowledges that England changes, in religion, colour and attitude. And that's why I like being English. I mean, who'd be Austrian?
DavidQuantick 3 years ago
I happen to agree with you regarding England, cobber. But dont you think there's a little bit of nationalism in your comment about Austria (even if that's true)?
:)
Nimrodner 3 years ago
Hitler?
SpliffPete 3 years ago
A pretty good song but I always feel uncomfortable with nationalist sentiments, whether it is about England or any other country.
penguinegg01 3 years ago
A lot of this song is about the land and the country rather than the English as a race so I think it avoids that nationalism that sees you branded as a BNP member.
00dacousin 3 years ago
What album can I find this on? I know it's probably on a 'best of', but which originalk album was it?
I can't finf it anywher....
chris1000uk 3 years ago
Scroll up - there's some info.
DavidQuantick 3 years ago
Ralph wrote a song called 'the Ferry Man' in around 1970... a total classic... Please explore the work of this great fella.... a genius... long may he live.
rustino08 3 years ago 2
Beautiful song!
I visited London many years ago,
found it very unfriendly and cold.
I'd love to visit England once
with someone who knows and loves her.
5 stars and thanks for posting this!
shas1814 3 years ago
I think most business centres are like that. Everyone's too busy rushing around to be friendly. New York is also supposedly a very unfriendly place.
bunchie1966 3 years ago
It certainly is.
I didn't mean to imply that England had a monopoly!
But my desire to return with a local guide
stems from my conviction that there's more to the story :=)
shas1814 3 years ago
I think Birmingham is spiritually in there.
DavidQuantick 3 years ago
Back in the 70's Birmingham was the place to play, I played with Harvey Andrews and Ralph McTell and Clifford T Ward at the Ian Campbell Folk club (Alis Dad of UB40)and even Pual Simon. Hey now Im 56 and still knocking it out. Happy days
robertjesseswann 3 years ago 2
Great song,shame you didnt mention Birmingham
bcfcyouknowsit 3 years ago
Well, yes.
DavidQuantick 3 years ago
Fuck the BNP
AidanM500 3 years ago
Cara Dillon sang one called IRELAND to the tune of this
AidanM500 3 years ago
I think it was used for the theme tune to Billy Connolly's world tour of England, Ireland, Scotland & Wales.. this is the original.
DiddydeanoUK 3 years ago
The thing that I really cannot get over though is that ALL other peoples and countries are allowed to love their country and be proud of it...so why the fuck can an Englishman not be allowed to do the same without people branding him/her a racist??
THAT is what the damn BNP have given Englishmen...
RCGecko 3 years ago 8
Its a great song but not how I feel about England.
jarrod2411 3 years ago
I know my history. Thousands of English people died fighting against the "values" of the BNP.
DavidQuantick 3 years ago
Fantastic comment. I think you have summed it up very nicely.
gutgutgutgut 3 years ago
great song, i feel the same way about england
iainiain88 3 years ago 7
"And on that day," wrote Saladin's scribe, Beha al-Din, with both disdain and admiration, "the King of England, a lance in his hand, rode down the whole length of our army, and none of our men did come forth to challenge him."
of Richard I
Great tune.
seth797 3 years ago 3
Richard I?
The gay French dwarf?
gaspode18 3 years ago
noo200,,,i just got this song off limewire,go there if u want it
balderdash07 3 years ago
my beautiful land - missed so much
grantzx 3 years ago 2
I miss England as well, but I left some years back, to another part of Britain, but always miss my place of birth, fantastic song...
fiynsais 3 years ago 2
Good point.
"What do they know of England who only England know?"
DavidQuantick 3 years ago
They know only of what they see....but that is the3 same in all counrtries I ahve lived in or visited...parochialness abounds.
I now live in the US...one of the most xenaphobic nations I know of...but real friendly people most of the time...ah well..humans..love 'em or hate 'em, they're all we got!!
RCGecko 3 years ago
Ralph is just giving a musical voice to his thoughts and feelings..........nothing more or less deeper than that......thoughts and feelings in this way are from the heart and miss out all hose self serving political viewpoints....I reckon when we all think of England it isn't like the real England as it seems today?
only1eebo 3 years ago
There is something about Ralph McTell's voice ....
Sarahfreckle 3 years ago
Try Amazon!
DavidQuantick 3 years ago
There's a good studio version on the album Water Of Dreams.
Mel Gibson? He's just another woad wearing throwback.
DavidQuantick 3 years ago
Mel Gibson is a shithead, What's he gotta do with England?
kingmonkey1001 3 years ago
yeah, and cultures change. Otherwise we'd all be living in straw huts and wearing woad like that twat Mel Gibson
DavidQuantick 3 years ago
Hi David...I can't stand Mel Gibson either LOL!
eyesofsteel 3 years ago
Comment removed
Croagh 2 years ago
Awesome song!
The images add great atmosphere.
Thanks for posting!
praatafrikaanz 3 years ago 4
We're all a mongral mix. The meaning of English changes every day. And has done since 1066 and before.
Immigration saves a nation
DavidQuantick 3 years ago
*Immigration saves a nation*
I like that and I agree with you DavidQuantick
ElvenBickers 3 years ago 3
Cheers!
DavidQuantick 3 years ago
Cheers to you!
ElvenBickers 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Yeah, I agree ElvenBickers. The Poles who work at my local D.I.Y store - you know, the type who can barely string a sentence together - are definitely saving this nation.
And as for the Somalian immigrants who congest my G.P's surgery, they make a priceless contribution when it comes to "saving" this nation.
DominatorMCMLXXVIII 3 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Dominator: No, I don't know what 'type' to which you are referring. I do know that you and Hitler could have been good mates whilst having a pint.
In terms of the statement you're referring to; you might want to clear your very disturbed and miniscule mind of the hateful cobwebs and realize that it was DavidQuantick; the poster of this video who made that statement.
Have a 'blast' in hell...
ElvenBickers 3 years ago
Comment removed
Croagh 2 years ago
Lovely song. England my love for you is like the love that I have for my children.....unconditional.
Aedilfrid 3 years ago 12
Nothing wrong with an artist being romantic about England - strange how the Scots reckon everybody hates the English yet the world wants to live in England!
anglotim 4 years ago 10
lol including 2.5 million scots
adger42 3 years ago 7
Love the song. I coould be on the golden Shropshire hills, or rolling Devon hills. Saw him playing live 34 years ago in Cardiff. Despite being Welsh I love the song and Shropshire and Devon.
OnkelOttoZwei 4 years ago 3
I don't want to detract from Ralph's songwriting because i've become a huge fan of his since discovering him on YT. But this -i'm sorry to say - is romantic nonsense. This must've been written a LONG time ago because the England Ralph eulogizes over is no more.
GrossbergerXXX 4 years ago 3
Well, it's partly about a changing England and the fact that he's happy with change. It's not Morrissey, if you know what I mean.
DavidQuantick 4 years ago
I think this is a lovely song and video DavidQuantick. I feel the same way about Canada. I think this song will entice me to visit England. Unfortunately, things change in every country but the heart that makes a country stays the same. Thanks for the post.
lastpicasso1 4 years ago 2
Thank god i found this video,put the word england in a search engine nowadays and all you get is negative comment especially from the scots (not all)i live in a small town surrounded by countryside with many different nationalities with not many social problems,this song to me tells of the real england.thanks for publishing.
iluvit13 4 years ago 3
This song reminds me of when I was a little girl,I'm listening on a grey thurs afternoon.I feel quite nostalgic.Oh well,off to the supermarket.Life goes on.....
veronica1b 4 years ago 3
Stunning! What a beautiful melody, passionate, moving. Not nationalistic at all. Ralph is talking about the beautiful heart of the country. One of the great love songs. All the greater because he avoids banging a drum. (Oh, by the way, I'm from Scotland!)
Elijah18 4 years ago 2
the last two comments ( what planet are you on???) this has nothing to do with nationalism to an extreme degree. this guy wrote classic FOLK!!! ITS POETIC!! NOT POLITIC!!ENGLISH FOLK AT ITS BEST.
sstv01 4 years ago 5
Thanks, sstv01. I despise racism, nationalism and such crap, and imagine McTell does too. This is a song about the allure of England as a place and an idea and part of that allure is the constantly changing ethnic mix. So sod off and listen to Morrissey if you want to find BNP anthems.
DavidQuantick 4 years ago
No problem at all mate! thank you for posting such a beautiful song it certainly lets you use your imagination! execept those mindless few who tend to think otherwise. its a real shame that these days alot of artists have to resort to singing (if you can call it singing) about guns and violence! which is more pleasing to the ear? you decide.
sstv01 4 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
this shoud be the national anthem of the BNP;
margatelad 4 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
i agree! nationalism to this degree makes me sick
subz6 4 years ago
The BNPO are sick people. They do NOT represent even the indiginous Englishman...
The BNP are nothing more than war mongering Nazi wanna bes...
RCGecko 3 years ago 5
Could just as easily be about the lovely place I live, in New England, USA...Vermont, the Green Mountain stats. Looks a lot like the west country of England, near Glastonbury, Bristol and Bath. Beautiful enough to make you cry if it catches you unaware...like this song...
WimseysEchoAnne 4 years ago 4
what a voice.....just as good as 30 years ago in hitchin folk club.....
SCbarbershop 4 years ago 3
saw ralph in concert last month,just as good as i first saw him 20yrs ago....england just as good as streets if not better
henryk37 4 years ago 2
I took a girl on a first date to the Main Point in Bryn Mawr Pennsylvania,USA.A little cafe where we sat 15 feet away.She did'nt want to go at first but she was thrilled later.Karen do you remember.Are you out there. Year was 1977.Love Tom
prrolg 4 years ago
Thank You...What English/British means to me.....I would not deny the country of my birth at any price !!!
gnwillou 4 years ago 3
A potential new national anthem!??
sammyhill69 4 years ago 4
'Nichts!' Mensch! Es ist der 3.45 aus Paddington nach B Bristol!
DavidQuantick 4 years ago
I think it was the great Flashman who said " If you can stand in front of your god and say that you are an Englishman and a gentleman, that I think you will find is enough".
Irondave5110 4 years ago 2
Kind of song that makes you proud of your nation. Good ol' England! Gotta Love Our Grand Country.
MattY165 4 years ago 3
Great song. I have a deep love for my country.
johnsussex123 4 years ago 3
Das Video ist nichts aber das Lied ist wahnsinnig gut.
Ich liebe Ralph McTell-Songs.Thank you for Posting.
ralle49 4 years ago 3
I love this song very much as it is so natural and love to listening.
khinzw 4 years ago 3
I am British, but been living abroad for nearly 30 years. It's beautiful songs like this, that make me regret turning my back on God's most wonderful country....there ain't no place like 'ome!
dejay823 5 years ago 2
dejay823... i sometimes think about leaving england but dont think i could deep down.just always remember that you won the lottery of life when you were born british
hammer19800 5 years ago 2
england or britain
psych