All the Lonely People

Ah look at all the lonely people
Ah look at all the lonely people

Eleanor Rigby, picks up the rice
In the church where a wedding has been
Lives in a dream
Waits at the window, wearing the face
That she keeps in a jar by the door
Who is it for

All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?

Father McKenzie, writing the words
Of a sermon that no one will hear
No one comes near
Look at him working, darning his socks
In the night when there's nobody there
What does he care

All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?

Ah look at all the lonely people
Ah look at all the lonely people

Eleanor Rigby, died in the church
And was buried along with her name
Nobody came
Father McKenzie, wiping the dirt
From his hands as he walks from the grave
No one was saved

All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong

George Martin, the legendary producer sometimes called "the fifth Beatle" because of his influence on their sound from the outset died earlier this week. Unlike a number of significant figures in the music business who have headed to rock and roll heaven in recent months Martin had "a good innings" as the British say, living to age 90.

Martin adapted over the years alongside the Fab Four and produced some remarkable albums. One of my favourite songs for both tune and lyrics is Eleanor Rigby. It captures the poignancy of loneliness and in some ways dates itself because a clergyperson was involved in the funeral of Eleanor. That doesn't happen so often in modern day Britain.

Do you know the song? Do you like it, or is it too morose for your taste? All those who appreciate it, twist and shout. (A Beatles hit but not a Beatles song.)