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Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS
Shane MacGowan
Shane MacGowan
Vocals
James Fearnley
James Fearnley
Accordion
Jem Finer
Jem Finer
Banjo
Cait O'Riordan
Cait O'Riordan
Bass Guitar
Andrew Ranken
Andrew Ranken
Drums
Henry Benagh
Henry Benagh
Fiddle
Dick Cuthell
Dick Cuthell
French Horn
Philip Chevron
Philip Chevron
Guitar
Spider Stacy
Spider Stacy
Tin Whistle
Tommy Keane
Tommy Keane
Uilleann Pipes
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Shane MacGowan
Shane MacGowan
Songwriter
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Nick Robbins
Nick Robbins
Engineer
Paul Scully
Paul Scully
Engineer
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Producer

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
When I first came to London I was only sixteen
With a fiver in my pocket and my old dancing bag
I went down to the 'Dilly to check out the scene
But I soon ended up upon the old main drag
[Verse 2]
There the he-males and the she-males paraded in style
And the old men with the money would flash you a smile
In the dark of an alley you would work for a five
For a swift one off the wrist down on the old main drag
[Verse 3]
In the cold winter nights the old town it was chill
But there were boys in the cafés who'd give you cheap pills
If you didn't have the money, you'd cajole and you'd beg
There was always lots of Tuinal on the old main drag
[Verse 4]
One evening as I was lying down in Leicester Square
I was picked up by the coppers and kicked in the balls
Between the metal doors at Vine Street I was beaten and mauled
And they ruined my good looks for the old main drag
[Verse 5]
In the tube station, the old ones who were on the way out
Would dribble and vomit and grovel and shout
And the coppers would come along and push them about
And I wished I could escape from the old main drag
[Verse 6]
And now I am lying here, I have had too much booze
I've been spat on and shat on and raped and abused
I know that I am dying and I wish I could beg
For some money to take me from the old main drag
Written by: Shane Patrick McGowan
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