The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
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
And held loosely by 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 gal
Who walks the streets of London
Dirt in her hair and her clothes are 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 London
I'll show you something, to make you change your mind
And in the all night cafe
at a quarter past eleven
Same old man is sitting there
all on his own
Looking at the world
over the rim of his tea-cup
each tea last an hour
Then 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 London
I'll show you something, to make you change your mind
And have you seen the old man
Outside the seaman's mission
His memory is fading,
With those medal ribbons he wears
And in our 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 London
I'll show you something, to make you change your mind
In the closed down market
Kicking up the paper,
with his worn out shoes
In his eyes you see no pride
And held loosely by 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 gal
Who walks the streets of London
Dirt in her hair and her clothes are 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 London
I'll show you something, to make you change your mind
And in the all night cafe
at a quarter past eleven
Same old man is sitting there
all on his own
Looking at the world
over the rim of his tea-cup
each tea last an hour
Then 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 London
I'll show you something, to make you change your mind
And have you seen the old man
Outside the seaman's mission
His memory is fading,
With those medal ribbons he wears
And in our 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 London
I'll show you something, to make you change your mind
Lyrics submitted by Novartza
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Metal ribbons - what source are you going by? I've just listened on YT to a few versions performed by Ralph himself, and he sings "medal". Doesn't seem to be faking an American accent. Moreover, "medal ribbons" makes more sense to me than "metal ribbons"....