So (F)how can you (Emin)tell me you're (C)lo(G)ne(Amin)ly,
(D)And say for you that the sun don't (G)shine.
(C)Let me take you (G)by the hand
And (Amin)lead you through the (Emin)streets of London
(F)Show you (C)something to (G)make you change your (C)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.

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
Show you something to make you change your mind.

In the all night cafe at a quarter past eleven,
Same old man, sitting on his own.
Looking at the world over the rim of his teacup.
And each tea lasts an hour and he wanders home alone.

So how can you tell me you're lonely,
Don't say for you that the sun don't shine.
Let me take you by the hand
And lead you through the streets of London
Show you something to make you change your mind.

And have you seen the old man outside the Seaman's Mission,
Memory fading with the medal ribbons that he wears.
And in the winter's city the rain cries little pity
For one more forgotten hero on a world that doesn't care.

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
Show you something to make you change your mind.

© Ralph McTell, All Rights Reserved