Excerpt from a teenage opera Testo

Count the days into years

his eighty two brings many fears

Yesterday's laughter turned to tears

his arms and legs don't feel so strong

his heart is weak, there's something wrong
Opens windows in despair

tries to breathe in some fresh air

his conscience cries: "Get on your feet.

without you, Jack, the town can't eat".



Grocer Jack, grocer Jack. get off your back.

go into town. don't let them down. Oh no. no.

Grocer jack. grocer Jack. get off your back.

go into town, don't let them down, Oh no. no.


The people that live in the town

don't understand

He's never been known to miss his round,

"It's ten-o'clock", the housewives yell.

"When Jack turns up we'll 'give him hell."

Husbands moan at breakfast tables

No milk. no egg. no marmalade labels

Mothers send their children out

to Jack's house to scream and shout



Grocer Jack, grocer Jack. get off your back

come into town. don't let us down. Oh no. no.

Grocer Jack, grocer Jack. get off your back

come into town. don't let us down. Oh no. no.



A Sunday morning bright and clear

Lovely flowers decorate the marvellous square

People cry and walk away and think about the fateful day

Now they wish they'd given Jack more affection and respect

Little children dressed in black don't know what happened to old Jack



Grocer Jack, grocer Jack, is it true what mummy says,

you won't come back, oh no, oh no

Grocer Jack, grocer Jack, is it true what mummy says,

you won't come back, oh no, oh no