Streets of London (McTell) - ukulele and voice

Ralph McTell's song Streets of London.

It was written in 1969 and released as a single in 1974. It was really popular and sold 90000 copies in just one day. It was used as an anthem to draw attention to the plight of homeless people.

A great song. Here are the words.

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
And held loosely at his side
Yesterday's paper telling yesterday's 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 talking,
She just keeps right on walking
Carrying her home in two carrier bags.

Chorus

In the all night cafe
At a quarter past eleven,
Same old man is sitting there on his own
Looking at the world
Over the rim of his tea-cup,
Each tea last an hour
Then he wanders home alone

Chorus

And 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

Category:

Music

Tags:

• ken
• middleton
• streets
• london
• ukulele
• mctell
• ralph

[makjac46]

Well played and sung with soul, thanks to Eric for his pointer.

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

@makjac46 Thanks very much.

[notindoubt]

Life's a journey, get with the beat baggies;):) That's funny, you got it!

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

Thanks.

[Bazzerhull]

Ken, As usual great job. Can I ask what strings you are using ? They sound softer than aqilla's or are they just worn in a bit? That is the sound I want from my TK when it arrives. Thanks

[KenMiddletonUkulele]

It looks to me like they are brown Worth strings. The code is BT. You can get them from most Ohana dealers. They work very well on any solid mahogany ukulele. Currently, I have them on my TK-35G and TK-35CG and my Kanile'a. They have a really clear, harp-like sound.

[STUDIOCHINCHAN]

Beautiful, loved it. Thumbs up

Eric

[rosenkranz007]

Nice song, nice cover - but I am afraid: this tune was playing to death.

[beachbooboo]

Well done! :) can you share what the chords are?

[Bazzerhull]

@Bazzerhull Thanks for that , I will add them to the order because I think the TK-35 comes with aquilla's as standard.

Just listened again to 'streets of London' I see what you mean about the 'Harp-like' sound.

Regards Barry