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about

One of the oldest streets in the London borough of East Ham, it can be seen on maps in the 1700s. Just around the corner from the Royal Theatre in Stratford, it hosted a traditional open air market - very East End and full of character. The market was the centre of Stratford life. Not any more. The lane was built over (redeveloped is the word) in the great reforming zeal of the 1950s and 60s and became an Alphaville, a muggers’ paradise. A tiny bit of the original lane is left but the market was absorbed into the bleak shopping centre which is now ringed on all sides by uncrossable dual carriageways and deafening, aggressive traffic. This song captured the smells and sights of fruit, meat, fish, vegetables, dry goods, notions, shoes, second-hand books - the leisure of the market, its busy-ness and sociability. The tune was originally made for a song in praise of a young female steelworker whom Ewan met in Russia (see “Stalinvarosh”). It also carries the words of a song about Salford (see “Northern City”). It is one of Ewan’s loveliest tunes. -

alternative titles: “Angel Lane”, “Saturday Morning in Angel Lane”
words and music: Ewan MacColl

lyrics

Down the Lane on a Saturday morning,
When the place is on the go;
Stalls are open and the grafters working,
Alf and Eddie and May and Flo.

Chorus: O, you noisy city,
O, you sprawling city,
O, you’re my old city.

Women pass with their hair in curlers,
Lads stroll by with hair unshorn;
And the girls in five-inch heels go tripping,
Known ’em all since they was born. (chorus)

As you walk on a Saturday morning,
Past the fruit and winkle stands;
Get the tangy sea-smell for a moment,
And the breath of distant lands. (chorus)

Down the Lane on a Saturday morning,
Underneath the London sky;
With the city borne upon their shoulders,
Folks I know go walking by. (chorus)

credits

from Freeborn Man, released September 20, 1983
Ewan MacColl - vocals
Peggy Seeger - guitar, backing vocals
Neill MacColl - backing vocals
Calum MacColl - whistle, backing vocals
Chris Taylor - harmonica

Produced by Neill MacColl
Engineered by Nick Godwin
Recorded at Pathway Studios, London

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all rights reserved

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Ewan MacColl London, UK

This site is maintained by the MacColl family, aiming to make Ewan's catalogue available to download.
Ewan MacColl is known to most as a songwriter and singer, but he was also of significant influence in the worlds of theatre and radio broadcasting. His art reached huge numbers through the folk clubs, greater numbers through his recordings and untold millions through the radio. ... more

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