Twenty-four Colours of Bromford - Part 17

"Streets of Bromford"

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

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 Bromford

I'll show you something to make you change your mind

Have you seen the old Ir

Who walks the streets of Bromford

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 Bromford

I'll show you something to make you change your mind

In the all night cafe

At a quarter past eleven,

Same old man sitting there on his own

Looking at the world

Over the rim of his tea-cup,

Each tea lasts an hour

And he wanders home alone

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 Bromford

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 the 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 Bromford

I'll show you something to make you change your mind