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
Outside the closed-down market
Kicking up papers
In old worn out shoes?
In his eyes you see no pride
And held loosely at his side
Yesterday's paper with yesterday's news
Have you seen the old girl
Walking along the streets of London
Dirt in her hair and her clothes in rags?
She has no time for talking
She just keeps right on walking
Carrying her world in two paper bags
Then how can you tell me you're lonely
And say for you 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 an all night cafe
At a quarter past eleven
There sits an old, old man all by himself
Gazing at the world
Pass the rim of his teacup
Each tea last an hour
Then he wanders home alone
Then how can you tell me you're lonely
And say for you 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 man
Outside the seaman's mission
His memory faded like
The medals that he wears
In our winter city,
The rain cries a little pity
One more forgotten hero
And a world that doesn't care
Then how can you tell me you're lonely
And say for you 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 that's just bound to change your mind
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
Outside the closed-down market
Kicking up papers
In old worn out shoes?
In his eyes you see no pride
And held loosely at his side
Yesterday's paper with yesterday's news
Have you seen the old girl
Walking along the streets of London
Dirt in her hair and her clothes in rags?
She has no time for talking
She just keeps right on walking
Carrying her world in two paper bags
Then how can you tell me you're lonely
And say for you 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 an all night cafe
At a quarter past eleven
There sits an old, old man all by himself
Gazing at the world
Pass the rim of his teacup
Each tea last an hour
Then he wanders home alone
Then how can you tell me you're lonely
And say for you 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 man
Outside the seaman's mission
His memory faded like
The medals that he wears
In our winter city,
The rain cries a little pity
One more forgotten hero
And a world that doesn't care
Then how can you tell me you're lonely
And say for you 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 that's just bound to change your mind
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 Mellow_Harsher
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