Hive Open Mic #119 - Streets Of London (Ralph McTell)
For this week's theme "Prejudice" by @lisbeth26 I almost struggled to find something suitable. The only ones that I could remember doing in the past, were collaborations of people of different ethnic backgrounds.
But then I watched Lisbeth performing her own contribution, and, hey presto, my song choice was there!
The Song
"Streets of London" was, at least for me, mentioned in most guitar books that I came across as a beginner, but I must admit that I never really knew anything about Ralph McTell until I came to the UK. I found out more about him on Wikipedia.
In 2002 we saw him at The Stables in Milton Keynes and got to meet him; a very lovely man! We have no pictures of it, too shy to ask at the time, but we've got his signature to prove it at least.. 😄 I only found the ticket the other day, which is brilliant timing!
This image shows the ticket and the album containing the song; my partner bought it when it came out in 1975. He just mentioned, that it was actually supposed to be about Paris, because he was busking around Europe at the time; I've just checked here, and it is indeed mentioned there too!
Prejudice
This comes in many forms, we can all name some of them, I'm sure, and many people here have already mentioned loads!
This one is about people who have fallen on hard times, a situation that ANYBODY can get into very easily. We tend to take things for granted and often assume, someone hasn't just tried hard enough to be in a certain situation.
Since the song was written, I'd like to think that things have slightly improved to help people, who are generally excluded from society. However, in the current climate we see yet again the number of people rising who need food banks and such like, sadly.
Lyrics
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
Hand 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
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
So, how can you tell me you're lonely..
In the all night cafe
At a quarter past eleven
Same old man
Sitting there on his own
Looking at the world
Over the rim of his tea cup
Each tea lasts an hour
And he wanders home alone
So, how can you tell me you're lonely?..
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
So, how can you tell me you're lonely..
Source: Google
If you fancy watching Ralph McTell himself:
Hi @anna-newkey,
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Dear friend, @anna-newkey I was very aware of your entry, I knew you were going to bring a more than interesting topic, How Great! I also wish that things improve for all of humanity, however, I see in society a contemptuous and indolent way many times in these vulnerable people due to age "Have you seen the old man
in the closed market
kicking the newspapers
With her worn shoes?" The beginning of the song has moved me, it really makes me nostalgic, it's a harsh reality! Thank you friend, your voice was beautiful and the arpeggio was so subtle and perfect! God bless you
Querida amiga,@anna-newkey estaba muy pendiente de tu entrada , sabía ibas a traer un tema mas que interesante, Qué Grandioso! También deseo que las cosas mejoren para toda la humanidad sin embargo, veo en la sociedad una forma despectiva e indolente muchas veces en estas personas vulnerables por la edad "¿Has visto al viejo
En el mercado cerrado
Pateando los periódicos
Con sus zapatos gastados?" el inicio del tema me ha conmovido me da nostalgia realmente, es una cruda realidad! amiga Gracias , tu voz se escuchó hermosa y el arpegio tan sutil y perfecto! Dios te bendiga
I didn't quite know what to put at the end of "Prejudice", so I left it open.. One sure can lose all hope, that we might ever change as a species..
Thank you, Lisbeth, for your wonderful comment! 😍
It is a classic song and it's great he's had such a long career. You do a great job on that picking.
!PIZZA
Thank you, Steve!
It sure is! And, unfortunately, still very valid today.. :(
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You met this musician in person, Ralph McTell? And you are bringing even his signature to your post? This is very nice from you, and the song is also cool. Maybe because you are performing it :))
😊 Yes, we did indeed meet him! The Stables is quite a small theatre and quite often the artists will be in the foyer to meet people and sign records.. 👌
Such a nice song! Gut gemacht! 👍
😊 Aah, vielen, vielen Dank! 😀
Yes, it's a lovely song and a classic over here.. most people will have played it at some point.
Thanks for listening, that's lovely!
Greetings sister! What an excellent rendition of this beautiful song 🤩 I love listening to you, well, I always enjoy doing it. The arpeggios on steel string acoustic guitar sound beautiful.
This week's theme really touches my heart, and I see that you explain and understand it perfectly by referring to this social inequality and exclusion that exists towards people with difficult situations. We definitely lack more empathy and compassion.
Best regards and thanks for the wonderful music! 🤩😊🙌🎼🎆😎🎵🍻💯👏👏⭐😆🎉💥👊✨🙏🎶😃
Oh naradamoon (what's your name?),
You know, when you leave the best part of your dinner to last?
This is it and that's why I'm late in replying.. 😂
The theme sure is something to start people thinking and talking, which is so amazing! Not sure, if we will ever change as a species, but one likes to keep hoping..
It makes me very happy, that you like my angle on the subject! There are sure very many of them, already covered elsewhere..
Which reminds me.. I've not seen your entry yet.. 😉
Our beautiful Anne always shining! what a beautiful voice, for some reason I felt nostalgic listening to this song, just magical👑!
We loved the arrangements while playing the guitar, sweet. Thank you for this gem! A hug!😍
Is it the black and white feel that brings out that nostalgia? 😄
Is a wonderful tune and unfortunately still valid today..
Thank you, my dear friends!
Did you notice, that I was very much on time for this one?
I can still learn.. 😂
I hug you both back.. 😀
Your voice, so good @anna-newkey i like it,
Thank you very much!
That is very kind! 😀
What a nice vocal👌
Thank you very much!
Really glad you like it! 😀
What a beautiful and heart warming song.
Your voice is really amazing and hey, your touch on the guitar is super professional. You produce such sweet and lovely sound!
Thanks @anna-newkey for sharing this lovely piece!
Aww, thank you very much! Yes, it's quite a moving song, still very valid!
Not sure if can match what you are able to produce with your guitar.. 😄
But thank you! 😃
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Aaaaay Dios mío qué canción tan hermosa!!
Y tú la cantaste demasiado bonito!!
Amo también esa guitarra!
Waah, maravilloso 🌌✨✨🎶🎶🎶
Thank you, I'm humbled! 😊
You are a real inspiration with your song writing!
It means a lot to me, my friend! 🙏
Amiga @anna-newkey, qué canción tan bella, con una verdadera lección de vida. Muy hermosa la letra y lo que dice es cierto. Uno a veces se queja y hay personas que están en situaciones mucho peores. Ese "cambio de mente" puede venir del observar...no solo con los ojos, sino más que todo con el corazón, recorriendo las calles de todos los Londres. Además de la canción me ha sido muy grato escucha su melodiosa voz y su dulce forma de tocar la guitarra. Muchas gracias por compartir, éxito en todo lo que emprenda en este mágico universo de la música.
My friend @anna-newkey, what a beautiful song, with a true life lesson. The lyric is very beautiful and what it says is true. One sometimes complains and there are people who are in much worse situations. That "change of mind" can come from observing...not only with the eyes, but more than anything with the heart, walking the streets of all London. In addition to the song, I have been very pleased to listen to your melodious voice and your sweet way of playing the guitar. Thank you very much for sharing, success in everything you undertake in this magical universe of music.
Thank you very much for those kind and more so, wise words!
It is very true, that many people don't look with their eyes, not to mention their hearts!
This week's theme certainly helped, make some people think about this a bit more..
Well, I hope anyway.. 😉
It makes me very happy that you like my song!
Thank you! 😀
¡Muchas gracias por esas amables y más sabias palabras!
Es muy cierto que muchas personas no miran con los ojos, ¡y mucho menos con el corazón!
El tema de esta semana ciertamente ayudó, hizo que algunas personas pensaran un poco más sobre esto.
Bueno, espero de todos modos.. 😉
Me hace muy feliz que te guste mi canción!
¡Gracias! 😀
Source: Google Translate
Qué armonía tan bella hay en su voz, @anna-newkey, cuánto sentimiento expresa con su guitarra. Ha sido una experiencia demasiado hermosa la de visitar su blog. Gracias por compartir. Saludos desde Venezuela, al otro lado del mundo. Muchas gracias por compartir su arte, Dios bendiga grandemente cada faceta de su vida.
What a beautiful harmony there is in your voice, @anna-newkey, how much feeling you express with your guitar. It has been a wonderful experience to visit your blog. Greetings from Venezuela, on the other side of the world. Thank you very much for sharing your art, God greatly bless every facet of your life..
Thank you so much, my friend!
It's lovely that you're stopping by and that you like it!
Isn't it great, that we can connect this way?
Many greetings back from the other side of the world! 😄
¡Muchas gracias amigo mío!
¡Qué bueno que te pases por aquí y que te guste!
¿No es genial que podamos conectarnos de esta manera?
¡Muchos saludos desde el otro lado del mundo! 😄
Source: Google Translate