The London Apprentice - Ralph McTell

I am a London apprentice for I never will learn a trade

The best that I could hope for is from mistakes I've made

A man who never made any he never meant not at all

So christopher wren had to start again when he built St. Pauls

I am a London apprentice for I never will learn her ways

When I walk the streets of London I am constantly amazed

How a road I never was on before leads to one and all

As any cabbie will tell you that's how all knowledge grows

I am a London apprentice and I love the muddy thames

Pushing his way through the city just to come back again

Through plague and conflagration and when the bombers came

A symbol of a nation St. Paul amongst the flames

I am a London apprentice and I'll accept the status quo

But a cockney must be born within the silent spells of beau

And Londons been a refuge by accident or plan

So ask be yours Londoner I'll answer every man

I am a London apprentice but one thing I know for sure

I'll tell you very bluntly with these words you can't ignore

Remember doctor Johnson who's wit cut like a knife

When a man is tired of London a man is tired of life

I am a London apprentice for I never will learn a trade

The best that I could hope for is from mistakes I've made

A man who never made any he never meant not at all

So christopher wren had to start again when he built St. Pauls