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Old Lady of Threadneedle Street

by Jeni Hankins

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Our heroine is the Old Lady of Threadneedle Street – a woman who stands for many elderly people across the world, but also a colorful name that the British give to the Bank of England which stands austerely in Threadneedle Street in the Old City part of London. From The Bank of England you can hear the sound of Bow Bells – the bells which ring in the tower of St Mary-le-Bow. If you can hear these bells, you are standing in the true heart of London. If you are born within the sound of Bow Bells then you are a true Cockney Londoner.

This year (2020), the Old Lady of Threadneedle Street has no guests for Christmas and sits very much alone “counting out the pennies which must last another year.” But the sound of carolers outside her door gives her hope of better days to come.

lyrics

Old Lady Of Threadneedle Street
by Jeni Hankins and Alfred John Hickling

Old Lady of Threadneedle Street
Heard the Bow Bells ring
And cast the old year from the door
To let the new one in

Old lady found her silken purse
Was sewn from a sow’s ear
Counting out the pennies
That must last another year

She’s taking down the Christmas tree 
The mistletoe in the hall
The port glasses and sherry
Were never used at all

Remember the old lady
Rocking in her chair
While all the ghosts of Christmas past
Drift through the frosty air

For in the bleak midwinter
While all are having fun
No room left at the stable
A table set for one

The Old Lady of Threadneedle Street
Listens at the door
The carollers have gathered
And are singing after all 

So sing for this old lady
Remember her we pray
Raise your voice in songs of love
And hope on Christmas Day

credits

released December 17, 2020
Written by Jeni Hankins (Lulu Wall Music, BMI) & Alfred John Hickling (Sweet Pea Publishing, BMI).

Thanks very much to The Hickling Family Band for lending their musical talents to Old Lady of Threadneedle Street.

Papa Mick Hickling: Cornet
Brother Billy Hickling aka the Trash Bang Man: Percussion
Brother Alfred John Hickling: All other instruments and harmony vocals
JeniHankins: Lead vocals

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Jeni Hankins London, UK

Jeni Hankins grew up in the coalfields of Appalachian in Southwest Virginia among a family of miners, moonshiners, and journalists. Her writing pulls the grit, gumption, and keen sense of observation out of that heritage like drawing water from her grandmother’s well.

In every song, Jeni’s “true sense of place shines through – old as the hills, but brand new at the same time.” ... more

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