He became widely known for his version of "Wind Beneath My Wings" (1982), as well as his own compositions "Durham Town (The Leavin')" (1969) and "I Don't Believe in If Anymore" (1970), his 1970 hit "New World in the Morning" and his 1975 hit "The Last Farewell" (his only single to hit the US Billboard Hot 100, making it to the Top 20).
Whittakers first chart success came in 1969 when "Durham Town (The Leavin')" was his first UK Top 20 hit. In 1970 came two follow-up hits, "I Don't Believe In If Anymore" (Top 10) and "New World In The Morning" (Top 20), and 1971 brought two smaller hit singles "Why" and "Mamy Blue".
Whittaker was absent from the UK singles chart until 1975, when "The Last Farewell" went Top 3, after which it was another eleven years until "Skye Boat Song" returned him to the Top 10 of the singles chart.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Whittaker had success in Germany, with German language songs produced by Nick Munro (unable to speak German at that time, Whittaker sang the songs phonetically). In time he became more fluent in German and sang and was interviewed in German on Danish television in November 2008. Whittaker retired from touring in 2013.
Streets of London
Roger Whittaker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Kicking up the papers with his worn out shoes?
In his eyes you see no pride, hand held loosely by his side
Yesterday�s papers 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
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.
In the all night caf� at a quarter past eleven
Same old man is sitting there on his own.
Looking at the world over the rim of his teacup,
Each tea last an hour, and he wanders home alone.
Have you seen the old man outside the seaman's mission,
Memory fading with the metal 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.
The lyrics of Roger Whittaker's Streets of London paints a somber picture of the people living on the streets of London. The verses use vivid descriptions of individuals living on the streets, such as the old man in the closed down market, kicking up papers with his worn-out shoes, and the old girl walking the streets with dirt in her hair and wearing ragged clothing. The lyrics end with the image of the old man outside the seaman's mission, wearing metal ribbons that signify his service but with memories fading, portraying a sense of abandonment.
The chorus of the song expresses the singer's disbelief when people claim to be lonely when there are people living on the streets, enduring the cold and hunger every day. The singer invites the listener to take a walk with him through the streets of London, promising to show them something that would alter their mindset.
The lyrics are powerful in their simplicity, describing the plight of those living on the streets of London with empathy and realism. The song's universal theme of loneliness resonates with many people. Roger Whittaker aims to open the listeners' eyes to the harsh realities of the streets and inspire them to reach out to those in need.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you seen the old man in the closed down market,
Have you encountered the aged person in the vacant marketplace,
Kicking up the papers with his worn out shoes?
Creating commotion with newspaper scraps using his tattered footwear?
In his eyes you see no pride, hand held loosely by his side
His eyes imply a lack of self-respect, his hand casually hanging by his body
Yesterday�s papers telling yesterday�s news
Yesterday's reports featuring ancient stories
So how can you tell me you're lonely
How is it possible for you to claim yourself as lonely?
And say for you that the sun don't shine
And further believe that the sun doesn't shine for you
Let me take you by the hand
Allow me to lead you practically
And lead you through the streets of London
Wandering through the paths of London together
I'll show you something
I'll demonstrate a certain something
To make you change your mind.
That'll alter your mindset.
Have you seen the old girl who walks the streets of London,
Have you caught sight of the elderly lady who strolls the paths of London,
Dirt in her hair and her clothes in rags?
Dirtied hair and shabby garments?
She's no time for talking, she just keeps right on walking,
She doesn't have time for conversation and continues walking
Carrying her home in two carrier bags.
With her residence merely a couple of bags she possesses.
In the all night caf� at a quarter past eleven
Inside the twenty-four-hour cafe around creation hour past ten
Same old man is sitting there on his own.
That old-man still remains seated there on his own
Looking at the world over the rim of his teacup,
Observing the world using his teacup rim as a perspective tool,
Each tea last an hour, and he wanders home alone.
With his tea time extending hours and wandering home unaccompanied.
Have you seen the old man outside the seaman's mission,
Have you caught sight of the elderly individual outside of the sailor's establishment,
Memory fading with the metal ribbons that he wears?
Memory vanishing through the badge he adorns?
In our winter city the rain cries a little pity,
During winter in our city the rainfall shows some mercy
For one more forgotten hero and a world that doesn't care.
For the umpteenth ignored legend and a world that doesn't care.
Contributed by Max T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
T WM
Ralph McTell
Streets of London
Have you seen the old man in the closed-down market
Kicking up the paper 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
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
Repeat *
In the all night cafe at a quarter past eleven
Same old man is sitting there on his own
Looking at the world over the rim of his tea-cup
Each tea lasts an hour
Then he wanders home alone
Repeat *
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
Ross Humphries
My Dad passed 9 weeks ago aged 87 he loved this song he played it when i was under 13 now 55 still love it myself love you Dad xx
musicmaniac1982
so sorry to hear that Ross, if you would like a mp3 of it, just send me your email address and i'll forward one to you. when my Grandfather died i found a beautiful song and had it played at the funeral. I now keep that song close to me at all times.
Behram Engineer
I am 71 and I love this song so much one day maybe my sons might write such a comment about me 🌻
Andrew Partington
My father died 8 yrs ago.im only just able to hear this without crying.feel for you pal.
Ian Ch
Sorry for your loss, may his soul RIP
TheNewFishing MEMES
I’m 13 now and I like this song
HerbyPumpkin
I sung this when I was 18 with my first guitar... Now 61, I live the song and run a drop-in Cafe for lonely people, ....43 years and still so much loneliness.
Rhonda Branneky
Best way to beat loneliness is to lead a meaningful
life of service!
Der Meister
Rest in peace, sir. My heart goes out to your family and friends.
Thank you very much for the wonderful music you gave the world. ❤
bigvan24
I love Roger Whittaker's beautiful voice. Combined with the excellent instrumental accompaniment, this makes for an exceptionally beautiful song.