I was alienated in London in the '80's, I am alienated now!I can't play, but 2 of my 3 sons are shit-hot on guitar - and they had this song sung to them from the cradle.. If you have the chords, send them on! Save them the trouble!
I think you can read much of what you want into it. It's partly about loneliness and alienation in London, or any big city, from the perspective of an Irish country boy (I think).
Can you play guitar?. I worked out the chords about 1980 when I was a student living in a Dublin bedsit .
sorry! my txt comment didn't seem to be downloading, so you've now got 2 versions of the same sob-story! Jxx PS> I still thing they're effing great - are they still alive?!!
yes, this song got me through 3 lonely yrs in london and several more child-rearing years in Greece. Haven't heard it until tonight since early '70's, but it's been in my head since then. Perhaps it should have been a hit, but I think it's had a more important effect on the people it got to... saved my life, quite honestly - kept me sane.
My fav song too. First heard it in L'pool in the early 70's and bought the 1st two albums. Heard this song again and again in my head when I spent 3 lonely years in London and used to sing it - tears streaming down my face - as a lullaby to my eldest son (who is now 21!) when I got pregnant in Greece! Still in Greece; still makes me cry!
Always makes me recall my own vulnerable early experiences of London, so wonderfully atmospheric. Video another gig Andy and try to get better sound quality to share!
Great great song. Loved it decades ago and love it now. Just as relevant now as it was then - for anyone of any age.
zephyrquartz 1 year ago
The first time I heard this song it was performed by Rita Connolly. Does anybody have that version of this song?
getagripa 1 year ago
I was alienated in London in the '80's, I am alienated now!I can't play, but 2 of my 3 sons are shit-hot on guitar - and they had this song sung to them from the cradle.. If you have the chords, send them on! Save them the trouble!
jantyrer 2 years ago
I think you can read much of what you want into it. It's partly about loneliness and alienation in London, or any big city, from the perspective of an Irish country boy (I think).
Can you play guitar?. I worked out the chords about 1980 when I was a student living in a Dublin bedsit .
proinsiaspad 2 years ago
sorry! my txt comment didn't seem to be downloading, so you've now got 2 versions of the same sob-story! Jxx PS> I still thing they're effing great - are they still alive?!!
jantyrer 2 years ago
yes, this song got me through 3 lonely yrs in london and several more child-rearing years in Greece. Haven't heard it until tonight since early '70's, but it's been in my head since then. Perhaps it should have been a hit, but I think it's had a more important effect on the people it got to... saved my life, quite honestly - kept me sane.
jantyrer 2 years ago
My fav song too. First heard it in L'pool in the early 70's and bought the 1st two albums. Heard this song again and again in my head when I spent 3 lonely years in London and used to sing it - tears streaming down my face - as a lullaby to my eldest son (who is now 21!) when I got pregnant in Greece! Still in Greece; still makes me cry!
jantyrer 2 years ago
Fantastic, Mr. O'Kelly. This song is still great, after all these years... and just as relevant as ever.
Don't forget - believe it and make it real. Reality is malleable, and created according to what we think - and the possibilities we imagine.
AmyCoeur 3 years ago
Wonderfull.....you had to be there, at the time,.....and lucky you were , if you were.
Love you's.
serendip369 3 years ago
Always makes me recall my own vulnerable early experiences of London, so wonderfully atmospheric. Video another gig Andy and try to get better sound quality to share!
raycimino 3 years ago