Sights and Sounds of London Town
Richard Thompson Lyrics

Oh Gillian she's a Doncaster lass
Gillian is a woman from Doncaster.

Trains it down on the quarter past
She travels by train at 15 minutes past the hour.

Friday night leaves the kids at home
On Friday night, she doesn't take care of her kids.

And struts her stuff on the Euston Road
She walks confidently on Euston Road.

Saying "Do you want some company darling?
She asks if someone wants her to keep them company.

Do you want some company now?
She asks if they want her company right away.

My place, your place or no place
She gives the options of going to her place, their place, or not going anywhere.

I could use the extra cash anyhow"
She says she could use the extra money regardless.

That's the sights and sounds of London Town
This is what happens in London.

Oh Jean-Paul he came over from Toulouse
Jean-Paul is someone who came from Toulouse.

They told him that London was the golden goose
People told him that London was a good place to make money.

He never got his hands on enough to eat
He never managed to get enough food to eat regularly.

He never did get his arse up off the street
He didn't manage to stop living on the streets.

Wanted to be a rap DJ
He wanted to be a rap DJ.

They took his pulse then they turned him away
They didn't let him become a rap DJ after evaluating him.

Under the radar of your fellow man
He goes unnoticed by other people.

With all that charisma it ain't worth a damn
Even with his charm, it doesn't seem to help him much.

Saying "Lend me your shoes till Monday
He asks to borrow someone's shoes until Monday.

Oh brother can you lend me a comb
He asks if someone can lend him a comb.

I can wash dishes all night long
He's willing to wash dishes all night if it means he gets some money.

I just need my fare back home"
He only needs enough money to get back home.

That's the sights and sounds of London Town
This is what happens in London.

Well Jackie she tried just about everything
Jackie is someone who tried many things.

She tried to dance, she tried to sing
She attempted to dance and sing.

Too many doors slammed in your face
She experienced too many rejections.

It leaves a nasty aftertaste
It's a bad memory for her.

You scramble around for a little bit of cash
She struggles to find some money.

Ease the pain with Mister Flash
She uses drugs to cope with the stress.

Saint Annes Court is the rendezvous
Saint Annes Court is the meeting place.

For those who share your point of view
It's where like-minded people gather.

Saying "This is the last time you will see me
She tells someone that this is the last time they'll see her.

Never again no way
She's not coming back.

One more time I'll never ask you again
She won't ask them for anything anymore.

I've just got to get through today"
She needs to make it through the day.

That's the sights and sounds of London Town
This is what happens in London.

Oh Mickey he sleeps every two or three days
Mickey sleeps once every two or three days.

Runs through Soho like a rat through a maze
He runs quickly through Soho like a rat running through a maze.

A little blackmail here a sting on the side
He gets by with a little bit of blackmail on the side.

Enough to get started on the next enterprise
He gets enough money to start the next thing he wants to do.

Dresses expensive but that's just a crutch
He spends money on expensive clothes as a way to compensate for something else.

Like his word or his handshake it doesn't mean much
His word or handshake doesn't have much value or worth.

Depends on his kickback from the middle man
His success depends on how much he can get from someone else.

And whatever he can beat out of Sally Ann
He'll take whatever he can from Sally Ann.

Saying "Lucky I'm the one you ran into
He says he's lucky they met.

Oh lucky I've taken a shine
He's happy he's decided to help.

Lucky I'm needing a partner
He needs a partner to help him.

50/50 right down the line"
They share everything equally.

That's the sights and sounds of London Town
This is what happens in London.