Lyrics of
Dirty Old Town

Dirty Old Town was written by Ewan MacColl in 1949, inspired by the town of Salford, Lancashire, England, where MacColl was born and raised. Originally composed for the BBCs Saturday Night Theatre radio program, the song describes the industrial landscape of the town and captures the sentiments of its people. Since its creation, the song has been covered by numerous artists and has become a widely recognized folk standard.

see chords
I met my love by the gas works wall
Dreamed a dream by the old canal
I kissed my girl by the factory wall
Dirty old town, dirty old town

Clouds are drifting across the moon
Cats are prowling on their beat
Springs a girl from the streets at night
Dirty old town, dirty old town
I heard a siren from the docks
Saw a train set the night on fire
I smelled the spring on the smoky wind
Dirty old town, dirty old town

I'm gonna make me a big sharp axe
Shining steel tempered in the fire
I'll chop you down like an old dead tree
Dirty old town, dirty old town

I met my love by the gas works wall
Dreamed a dream by the old canal
I kissed my girl by the factory wall
Dirty old town, dirty old town
Dirty old town, dirty old town