Old Tom

from Revel and Rhyme by Nettlebone

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lyrics

OLD TOM

You've heard the tales of London Town
A Marvel to behold
Fine buildings high and clear blue sky
And streets all paved in gold
A fortune waits for every soul
All rosy cheeked and bellyful
Beware the wolf beneath the wool
I'll show you London Town

In Rookeries were sun don't shine
No grass or flowers bloom
All colour leached to black and grey
In smoke, and sweat, and gloom
Back to back with naught to show
Bowed and bent from debts we owe
No better place to sink so low
Than darkest London Town

Drunk for a penny
Dead drunk for two
No need of bed or home
When rents are a due
No fear of Winter's cold
No care for rags nor bones
Drunk for a penny
Dead drunk for two

Pauper's Laws to grind you up
The Man to grind you down
Shuffling feet on workhouse floor
Pliant, ruined, bound
No means to rise and start anew
The palsy of St Giles for you
But gin enough to see you through
A night on London Town

Old Tom's our most beloved son
A saviour to the poor
He wraps his arms 'round everyone
A friend to one and all
A penny and he'll keep you gay
All pain and sorrow held at bay
He's always with you come what may
In lonely London Town

Young flower clings to childhood dreams
A life to call her own
Soft skin that fades and petals fall
From chills that wilt the bones
Small hands that grasp for pennies owed
Sweet innocence so cheaply sold
Ruthless streets turn young to old
In heartless London Town

When all of worth is stripped from thee
And hope can ne'er be found
When remnants of your dignity
Are well and truly drowned
When grime and crime have got to you
Make sure you're always soaked well through
Old Tom's the only friend that's true
In sodden London Town

Drunk for a penny
Dead drunk for two
No need of bed or home
When rents are a due
No fear of Winter's cold
No care for rags nor bones
Drunk for a penny
Dead drunk for two

credits

from Revel and Rhyme, released September 2, 2019
All music and lyrics by Dominic Forrest and Justin Forrest

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about

Nettlebone London, UK

Revel & Rhyme is a musical collaboration between two brothers with significant additions from two wonderful musicians, Jude Rees and Jon Loomes. Dealing with historical themes the album is a journey through England’s largely neglected social and political history using a wide range of traditional instrumentation, evocative lyrics and atmospheric musical soundscapes. ... more