JAGGERS:
Let's put the case of a lady (Miss Havisham appears)
Eccentric, cold but benign
A rich old crone who so wanted a child
Just a little girl
Now put the case of a woman (Molly appears)
Accused of a murderous crime
Misused by a man who fathered her child
Just a little girl (Young Estella appears)
Suppose these women knew someone who'd help
A lawyer who'd see to their ends
If one adopts the sweet child of her dreams
The other one he defends
I put the case of a convict (Magwitch appears)
He fled to far away lands
He made a fortune to raise up a child
Just a little boy (Young Pip appears)
This boy had shown him a kindness
The kindness gave heart to the man
He transferred his love from his child he thought dead
To the little boy
Suppose this convict knew someone who'd help
A lawyer close to his bank
A man who'd see to the transfer of funds
To buy a gentleman's rank
You see, boy
And agree, boy
Revelation draws its tragic fee
Don't go, boy
‘Till you know, boy
The truth sets no one free
PIP: (spoken)
So you admit that Estella is the daughter of Molly and Magwitch.
JAGGERS: (spoken)
I admit nothing.
PIP: (spoken)
So why didn't you just leave it alone? She would have been better off!
JAGGERS: (spoken)
Better off? BETTER OFF!
From the shadows, behind the gate, a chorus of orphan children stand and sing.
JAGGERS:
Now put the case of the children
CHILDREN’S CHORUS:
Don't look away
JAGGERS:
The ones who live in the street
CHILDREN’S CHORUS:
I'm next to you
JAGGERS:
Their bellies empty,
Their clothes are just rags
The little ones
CHILDREN’S CHORUS:
I beg because it's all I can do
JAGGERS:
Now put the case of a lawyer
CHILDREN’S CHORUS:
I'm just a child
JAGGERS:
Who sees them tried at the bar
CHILDREN’S CHORUS:
I'll get along
JAGGERS:
They’re born into filth
And raised to be hanged
The little ones
CHILDREN’S CHORUS:
Turn away and I’ll be gone
JAGGERS:
Suppose this lawyer knew some way to help
One child he could rescue in time
But you would lock your heart like a door
ENSEMBLE:
Your heart like a door
JAGGERS:
Yes, you would ignore
ENSEMBLE:
But you can’t ignore
JAGGERS:
Don’t put the case
ALL:
Till you know the crime.
