This song breaks my heart. I was on the streets for a short time in 2017 with my then boyfriend then we were lucky enough to get a little studio flat in a shared house. It was tiny but it was paradise to us after trying to sleep out in the elements for weeks. This was in summer too, I don't know how people survive winter outside. I've since moved back to my hometown where there's not a big problem with homelessness but I still think of all the people who are living on the streets of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. I make an effort to help every person I see begging now. I don't care what they spend it on. As long as it helps them cope with the situation. I live about ten miles North of Newcastle and there's loads of homeless people there too. We shouldn't have anyone living on the streets in 2022 ffs. It's not just the homeless part that gets me though, it's the lonely old man. It makes me think of my dad. If he was that old man. Oh God I'm gonna cry so I better leave it here. Beautiful song and definitely gonna be one of the first songs I attempt to play when I finally learn to play like this, picking through chords. I'm probably a good two years away from even thinking about it though

In 1975 I worked as a signal's technician at London Underground when word got around that there was a very talented guitar player singing in the underground walkways . We would then go and listen to him..he was very good. Later this song was released, and the rest is history. Many thanks Ralf

The first song I learned to pick on the guitar. I as aged 7, and Dad wouldn't teach me to play Streets, because it would be too hard for me at my age. I taught myself instead. When he heard me play it, he gave me his guitar. I still have it, 42 years later.

In all the years that ol' Ralph has been playing this song sadly nothing has changed.

This should be called An Anthem for the Lonely and Homeless .... it makes me cry every time I hear it! Just a beautiful ballad and as important today as ever......💙💙🥲💙💙🥲💙💙

Even more relevant today than all those years ago when it was written. A classic never dies

This song still cries out for those who are less fortunate than we are.. Always take time to chat with the homeless folk assure them of you're love.

This song inspired me to become a musician,thanks Ralph

This man saved my life. I lost my Girl and Mother in the same year. I thought it must be to be. But hope came from from his song. Al

My uncle ,who recently passed away played this to me as a child ,he did it so well ,memories will never fade.RIP uncle Mick X

Ich musste das Lied damals in Englisch Unterricht lernen, seit dem lässt mich das Thema nicht mehr in Ruhe.❤❤❤

Beautifully rich voice. And my dads favourite song. Memories

I've seen him sing/play this live very close up. Absolutely jaw dropping to observe - note perfect picking and his voice is actually richer than this...amazing.

Ralph McTell songs are like little stories. Here he takes us on a tour of a city, focusing our minds on the lost and lonely. The guitar ripples capture beautifully the fragments and impressions of a less than gentle life.

This song is an absolute classic, and as such never gets old. Ralph McTell folk legend.

I remember years ago that the children's TV programme 'Saturday Superstore' asked the kids to enter their talented teachers into a competition, on the first week, a teacher sat and played this song on his guitar and sang it with all the emotion he could muster, he went through the elimination round every week and won the competition, rightly so!

One of the most hard hitting songs ever written.

Makes me bawl my eyes out every time. Has come to my heart alot this week with the queen's passing

Music is the most immediate and powerful method of contact with the spiritual realms.

Such a beautiful song x

A truly beautiful song.

I met Ralph around 1968/9. Of course he sang this , absolutely brilliant. He gave me a plectrum and signed my blood donor's card. So did Krysia Kocjan who supported him that night. Sadly no longer with us.

60S and 70S such a lovely innocent time! love to go back for just one week!

Super good song🥳🥳🥳 I don't want the traditional British old songs to be lost 😭😭😭😭😭

One glorious day the Last shall be first & the first shall be Last!

I learned the words of this song so that I could sing it (off key) to my daughter every night at bedtime. She loved it, but 20 years later when she hears it she says "so sad!"

I remember this when it first came around. Poignant then and now.

This song always makes me count my blessings and reach an inner part of me.

Song for heroes and forgotten lost loved ones remember them they are decent people

This is why folk music is unmatched fucking mind blowing how good this is

So beautiful, such an important message delivered so sensitively and compassionately. This song means an awful lot to me.

Very good Song with serious contents. Although I am from Germany I understand every word

this song has always made me cry,i imagine those people in the song,i feel for them

I love the sound of his voice.

Saw he just the other night, his voice has gotten better.

Because of this song, I would like to take a walk on the streets of London.

I recall walking along of Oxford Street as a student. This guy stopped outside McDonalds, routed around in the bin found something and went straight into his mouth. Whenever I feel hard done by I think about that.

You delivered this song 20 years later and i still love it ..thank you ralf

A timeless classic.

...and nothing has changed from the 70s. My mum n dad have this on 7 inch vinyl, remember it so well. Hey kids, watch out for the chimps in suits (circa 2023) re opening the mines!

I didn’t feel anything when I was young, now I can feel the sad, good or bad? Luckily, I still have a warm home to stay.

Brilliant song & lyrics....❣️

Yes not just of london now and then, it is every street in every country i think..

This is the first time I've ever seen/heard this guy (I'm from Canada). He reminds me a lot of Elvis.

Still a great song 1975

I played this song on my guitar as an English lesson at a school in Germany!

What a great song and so well done. Thanks Ralph.

Absolutely beautiful song! I actually cried.

I first heard this song when i was a child in the 70s. I had no clue what it meant but after having experienced familial rejection and losing everything and being homeless for six months in 2020. I was lucky because my best friend stood by me and made sure that i could sleep on her sofa until i was finally rehoused. As a transgender woman, i wouldn't have survived a day on the streets. I am still struggling but not dead yet. Apparently the market referred to in the first verse is Surrey Street Market in Croydon, where i used to go with my Mum. I heard it played in a Dublin pub yesterday and immediately burst into tears. thank you Ralph McTell for caring about the unloved and the unwanted.

I was ten. I still remember listening this

A few months before Punk. Sometimes i feel it still inside after such a long time 😊😢

Sadness is unavoidable in our lives. But to wallow in self pity is unhealthy, often somewhat dishonest, and often driven by regrets and guilt. It clouds our eyes, closes our minds to our neighbor's plight, gets in the way of making our world just a little warmer and better. So be sad but don't exaggerate. Be honest about what drives it, and, if necessary, ask for forgiveness to begin healing and rejoining the good and necessary work of helping those in need.

Great song, a classic ❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏

Takes me back, oh the memories.

Still love ❤️ this song. We used to sing it at school when I was 7 years old. It used to make me cry 😢. It still moves me.

Ralph, thank you for this great song, that will go into history. I saw a different London, though.

Always a great song. Thank you.

Beautiful...makes one weep

I love London

Took me almost 30 years to realise what a man and musician he was and till is. Remember this song being released in 75 but took me all this years to realise his wonder.

Back when Ralph and others like him could compose and sing music, not trash. With a message.

Lovely song.

great song and great voice

A perfect song

My wonderful grandfather we sang and played this song. He died a year ago today

Ralph McTell, a true son of Croydon.

Always loved the song- this is the earliest version I have seen or heard. Thanks for posting.

Lovely. Thanks Ralph.

With all the prices going up and everything increasing in prices. Have a thought for the poor young people living on the streets. No food no bed just a peice of cardboard to sleep on. God bless them.

Amazing Singer , amazing song , Saw him in Poole last week , he was excellent !!

This is pure class, unlike Bruno Mars this song will last forever.

He was handsome

One of the best songs ever made words are mean full his voice was perfect for it 😋

I'm still Alive ? If you are a 60s child, please respond. I love you .

Lots of versions .will always be ralphs song!

Sang it through with Ralph..... loved it.

This song gets my heart!

That's great it made me grateful

Absolutely fabulous song!!!!!!

This is unplugged before MTV unplugged

This song was already a hit in my home country the Netherlands in 1972, in the UK where it’s made in 1975, bit strange.

Great song love it from newfoundland canada

We used to sing this at my junior school!

A song and voice for the ages.... regretfully but strangely at the same time i proudly (I don't want to desecrate this absolute classic but merely pay homage and pretend I'm even nearly as talented as the great man) I belt this tune out whenever theres a late nighter and an opportunity.....

immer wieder schön

The original and the best.

True👌Streets💯% Of London 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿♥️

Great song

Fab song from 1975

Very good !!!

TOP MAN

Presentation is realy insulting, but ding so lovely and realy make you aware of all homeless people ❤️

originally named the streets of Paris,after Ralph took a trip to France,renamed the streets of London and the rest is history as they say,

We sang this in school assembly every week

The one and only

Wonderful, singer, song-writer and guitarist. Saw him perform live a couple of times in the 1970s. The streets of London are very different to when this song was written. He gets a weird and pretty insulting introduction here.

Maravillosa

love him

The early versions are the best.

Love how they dance...😂