Thank You for Hearing Me: The Definitive Sinéad O'Connor Discography

“Streets of London”

Composed by Ralph McTell

1 version

4:09

Fire on Babylon” single
Thank You for Hearing Me” single

Lyrics

(Source: as heard)

Have you seen the old man
In the closed-down market,
Kicking up the papers with his worn-out shoes?
In his eyes, you see no pride,
Hands held loosely mostly by his side.
Yesterday's papers telling yesterday's news.
So how can you tell me that you're lonely,
And say for you that the sun won't shine?
Well, 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.
And 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.
So how can you tell me that you're lonely,
And say for you the that sun won'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.
And in the all-night cafe at a quarter past eleven,
See an old man sitting there on his own,
Looking at the world over the rim of his teacup?
And each tea lasts an hour
And then he wanders home alone.
So how can you tell me that you're lonely,
And say for you that the sun won'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.
And have you seen the old man
Outside the seamen's mission?
Memory fading with the medal ribbons that he wears?
And in the winter city, the rain cries a little pity,
For one more forgotten hero
In a world that doesn't care.
So how can you tell me that you're lonely,
And say for you that the sun won't shine?
Well, 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.
Hoh, oh.
I'll show you something to change your mind.

Produced by Sinéad O'Connor , John Reynolds , and Phil Coulter

(Source: Fire on Babylon)

Musicians

(Source: I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got)

Sinéad O'Connor strings arranged by
John Reynolds drums

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