Ralph McTell is probably best known for the song Streets of London which has been covered by over a hundred artists around the world. From Clare to Here has proved almost as popular, during a long and continuing recording and performing career.
McTell's guitar style has been influenced by many of the USA's country blues 'Piedmont- style' guitar players of the early 20th century, including Blind Blake and Blind Willie McTell, from whom he took his name.
Claudia
Ralph McTell Lyrics
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Drinking with some friends with whom I like to spend my time.
When in comes John and he's bleeding, from his mouth and from his chin,
I said "My friend John, Come here and tell me what kind of trouble have you been in.
You see Friday evening finds me coming down to meet you here,
I've got nothing more on my mind than a long cool glass of beer.
When these four guys that jumped me, and they did this to my face.
And one of them shouted something about my colour and my race.
Oh no, I don't want to believe it, but there's this ringing that's in my ears,
And if it wasn't for the pain to remind me again, I swear I'd have to break down in tears.
And Claudia's from Harlem, she warned it wouldn't do no good.
Sitting with your safe friends when you talk of brotherhood.
You "back-bar-revolutioneries" only talk about what to do.
You end up too drunk on your theories, to ever see then through.
Oh no, I cannot believe it. has it really got this late,
I can't put the clock back, a few cool beers, and say it's all been a big mistake.
Claudia's from Harlem, she's an artist and she works,
She's reflected all your sympathy, how can you ask for hers.
Too late for you to say now, you know just how she feels.
While you fumble with your modelling clay, Claudia builds in steel.
And Friday evening finds me stacked up drunk against the wall,
Will you hold on John, for I'm feeling bad and if you slip we'll both fall.
For John is as white as I am, and we both love everyone.
I thought everybody must've known that by now, but they have all gone home.
Oh no, I cannot believe it. has it really got this late,
I can't put the clock back, a few cool beers, and say it's all been a big mistake.
Oh no, I don't want to believe it, but until the ringing is in their ears,
They're gonna swear to God they never thought those things could happen here.
Ralph McTell's song "Claudia" is a powerful commentary on racism, especially in the United States during the 1960s. The song begins with the singer sitting in his favorite bar, enjoying some time with friends. He is interrupted by the arrival of John, who has been beaten and bloodied by a group of men who attacked him because of his race. The incident shakes the singer and makes him realize that racism is still a pervasive problem that needs to be addressed.
The song then shifts to the singer's thoughts about Claudia, an artist from Harlem. Claudia has warned the singer and his friends that sitting around and talking about brotherhood is not enough - real action is needed to combat racism. The singer is initially dismissive of Claudia's message, thinking that his "safe" friends are all that he needs. But as the song progresses, he begins to understand just how important Claudia's words are.
The singer ultimately realizes that he can't undo the past with a few "cool beers." He knows that racism is a deep-rooted issue that requires constant attention and action to combat. The ringing in John's ears serves as a reminder that racism is not something that can simply be wished away, and until people start taking it seriously, it will continue to be a blight on society.
Line by Line Meaning
Friday evening finds me in a favourite bar of mine,
The singer enjoys spending his Friday evenings at a particular bar.
Drinking with some friends with whom I like to spend my time.
The singer enjoys the company of his friends and likes to drink with them on Fridays.
When in comes John and he's bleeding, from his mouth and from his chin,
John enters the bar with injuries to his mouth and chin, indicating that he's been in a physical altercation.
I said "My friend John, Come here and tell me what kind of trouble have you been in.
The artist asks John to explain what happened to cause his injuries.
You see Friday evening finds me coming down to meet you here,
The artist regularly meets John at the bar on Fridays.
I've got nothing more on my mind than a long cool glass of beer.
The singer's main purpose for coming to the bar is to enjoy a cold beer.
When these four guys that jumped me, and they did this to my face.
John was attacked by four men and physically harmed.
And one of them shouted something about my colour and my race.
One of the attackers made a derogatory comment about John's skin color or ethnicity.
Oh no, I don't want to believe it, but there's this ringing that's in my ears,
The artist is having trouble coming to terms with the racist attack on John, and it's causing him emotional distress.
And if it wasn't for the pain to remind me again, I swear I'd have to break down in tears.
The physical pain John is experiencing reminds the artist of the emotional pain caused by the racist attack.
And Claudia's from Harlem, she warned it wouldn't do no good.
Claudia, who is from Harlem, warned that talking about brotherhood in the safety of a bar won't make a meaningful difference in the world.
Sitting with your safe friends when you talk of brotherhood.
The artist and his friends discuss issues of brotherhood in the safety of their bar, far away from the reality of life outside.
You "back-bar-revolutioneries" only talk about what to do.
The singer is criticizing those who claim to support revolution from the safety of a bar, but don't take real action to bring about change.
You end up too drunk on your theories, to ever see then through.
The singer notes that these theoretical discussions often result in drunkenness, but no real change or progress.
Claudia's from Harlem, she's an artist and she works,
Claudia is an artist who works hard to bring about change and improve her community.
She's reflected all your sympathy, how can you ask for hers.
Claudia has shown sympathy and support to those around her, but the artist struggles to see how he can ask for her support in return.
Too late for you to say now, you know just how she feels.
The artist recognizes that he should have understood Claudia's struggles before now, but it's too late to make up for it.
While you fumble with your modelling clay, Claudia builds in steel.
The singer may be engaging in artistic pursuits, but Claudia's art is more tangible and impactful, reflecting her commitment to creating real change.
And Friday evening finds me stacked up drunk against the wall,
The singer is now drunk and slumped against a wall.
Will you hold on John, for I'm feeling bad and if you slip we'll both fall.
John needs the artist's support, but the artist is also feeling precarious and doesn't want to let him down.
For John is as white as I am, and we both love everyone.
John and the artist are not racially different, and they believe in equality and love for all.
I thought everybody must've known that by now, but they have all gone home.
The artist is surprised that others aren't aware of their beliefs about equality and love, and now everyone has left the bar.
Oh no, I cannot believe it. has it really got this late,
The singer can't believe how late it is and how little change has been accomplished in terms of fighting racism and promoting equality.
I can't put the clock back, a few cool beers, and say it's all been a big mistake.
The artist laments that he can't undo the past, and simply drinking with friends won't erase the problems of racism and inequality.
Oh no, I don't want to believe it, but until the ringing is in their ears,
The singer doesn't want to believe that racism and violence can happen in their community, but until others experience it firsthand, they won't understand.
They're gonna swear to God they never thought those things could happen here.
Until others experience racism and violence themselves, they will continue to deny its presence in their community.
Contributed by Savannah L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@twiggypine
Another great Ralph tune....Let the haters hate! Claudia speaks volumes... GRRRREAT JOB RALPH!
@nates.249
Agreed. This is probably one of my favorite Ralph songs of all time. Man isn't strictly a folk musician...he's a musician.
@cjwaywell
rubbish, stick to the folk style Ralph you're not Dylan so you can't get away with it
@dogperday
Derp.
@nates.249
First of all, I don't agree. Secondly he wrote a killer song about Dylan called "Zimmerman Blues." He might not be Dylan, but I think he's just about the only person who could write a song like that.
@kenchristie9214
Don't you mean Dylan isn't Ralph. Personally, Ralph is the best songwriter I have heard. I can guarantee I've heard a lot more music than you.