For this week's theme "Prejudice" by 
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:
