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Picture of BobHale
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Possibly meaningless to most people here, but I was amused at the folk club tonight when the singer announced that he was now going to do a song from "the darker side of Ralph McTell".


"No man but a blockhead ever wrote except for money." Samuel Johnson.
 
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Picture of jerry thomas
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You're right, Bob -- the singer's announcement had no meaning for me. Even after reading all about Ralph McTell.

I conclude that it must be an inside British thing.

Is it Mondegreenish?
 
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Picture of BobHale
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No. It's just that a blander balladeer couldn't be found if you hunted for ever.


"No man but a blockhead ever wrote except for money." Samuel Johnson.
 
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Picture of Richard English
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quote:
I conclude that it must be an inside British thing.

More likely an inside folk music thing. I have never heard of Ralph McTell and can offer no opinion about his sides - inside or out, dark or light.


Richard English
 
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Picture of BobHale
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I bet you have.
His biggest hit was "Streets of London".

quote:

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
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.

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.

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

So how can you tell me that 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 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
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.



On the other hand Richard you are, by your own admission, hardly an authority on popular culture. (Which you may even consider to be an oxymoron.)


"No man but a blockhead ever wrote except for money." Samuel Johnson.
 
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Picture of Richard English
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I do recall hearing this song sung by a man with a reedy, nasal voice. Is that the man you refer to?


Richard English
 
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Picture of BobHale
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Hard to say. I wouldn't have described him as nasal but I don't know of any cover versions so it probably was.


"No man but a blockhead ever wrote except for money." Samuel Johnson.
 
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Bob, what's a cover version?

I've heard the song recorded by John Prine, if that helps any, but his voice isn't reedy and nasal.
 
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Picture of BobHale
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A version NOT recorded by the original artist/writer.


"No man but a blockhead ever wrote except for money." Samuel Johnson.
 
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