Chain Gang - Overture / Work Song / Look Down
[PRISONERS]
Look down, look down
Don't look 'em in the eye
Look down, look down,
You're here until you die
[CONVICT ONE]
The sun is strong
It's hot as hell below
[PRISONER]
Look down, look down,
There's twenty years to go
[CONVICT TWO]
I've done no wrong!
Sweet Jesus, hear my prayer!
[PRISONERS]
Look down look down,
Sweet Jesus doesn't care
[CONVICT THREE]
I know she'll wait,
I know that she'll be true!
[PRISONERS]
Look down, look down,
They've all forgotten you
[CONVICT FOUR]
When I get free ya won't see me
Here for dust!
[PRISONERS]
Look down, look down
Don't look 'em in the eye
[CONVICT FIVE]
How long, oh Lord
Before you let me die?
[PRISONERS]
Look down, look down,
You'll always be a slave
Look down, look down,
You're standing in your grave
[JAVERT]
Now bring me prisoner 24601
Your time is up
And your parole's begun
You know what that means.
[VALJEAN]
Yes, it means I'm free.
[JAVERT]
No!
It means you get
Your yellow ticket-of-leave
You are a thief
[VALJEAN]
I stole a loaf of bread.
[JAVERT]
You robbed a house.
[VALJEAN]
I broke a window pane.
My sister's child was close to death
And we were starving.
[JAVERT]
You will starve again
Unless you learn the meaning of the law.
[VALJEAN]
I know the meaning of those 19 years
A slave of the law
[JAVERT]
Five years for what you did
The rest because you tried to run
Yes, 24601.
[VALJEAN]
My name is Jean Valjean
[JAVERT]
And I am Javert
Do not forget my name!
Do not forget me,
24601.
[PRISONERS]
Look down, look down
You'll always be a slave
Look down, look down
You're standing in your grave.
[VALJEAN]
Freedom is mine. The earth is still.
I feel the wind. I breathe again.
And the sky clears
The world is waking.
Drink from the pool. How clean the taste.
Never forget the years, the waste.
Nor forgive them
For what they've done.
They are the guilty - everyone.
The day begins...
And now lets see
What this new world
Will do for me!
[He finds work on a farm]
[FARMER]
You'll have to go
I'll pay you off for the day
Collect your bits and pieces there
And be on your way.
[VALJEAN]
You have given me half
What the other men get!
This handful of tin
Wouldn't buy my sweat!
[LABORER]
You broke the law
It's there for people to see
Why should you get the same
As honest men like me?
[VALJEAN]
Now every door is closed to me
Another jail. Another key. Another chain
For when I come to any town
They check my papers
And they find the mark of Cain
In their eyes I see their fear
`We do not want you here.'
[He comes to an inn]
[INKEEPER'S WIFE]
My rooms are full
And I've no supper to spare
I'd like to help a stranger
All we want is to be fair
[VALJEAN]
I will pay in advance
I can sleep in a barn
You see how dark it is
I'm not some kind of dog!
[INNKEEPER]
You leave my house
Or feel the weight of my rod
We're law-abiding people here
Thanks be to God.
[They throw him out of the inn]
[VALJEAN]
And now I know how freedom feels
The jailer always at your heels
It is the law!
This piece of paper in my hand
That makes me cursed throughout the land
It is the law!
Like a cur
I walk the street,
The dirt beneath their feet.
[He sits down despairingly outside a house from which emerges the Bishop of Digne.]
[BISHOP]
Come in, Sir, for you are weary,
And the night is cold out there.
Though our lives are very humble
What we have, we have to share.
There is wine here to revive you.
There is bread to make you strong,
There's a bed to rest till morning,
Rest from pain, and rest from wrong.
[VALJEAN]
He let me eat my fill
I had the lion's share
The silver in my hand
Cost twice what I had earned
In all those nineteen years -
That lifetime of despair
And yet he trusted me.
The old fool trusted me -
He'd done his bit of good
I played the grateful serf
And thanked him like I should
But when the house was still,
I got up in the night.
Took the silver
Took my flight!
Eponine
And now I'm all alone again
Nowhere to turn, no one to go to
Without a home without a friend
Without a face to say hello to
And now the night is near
I can make believe he's here
Sometimes I walk alone at night
When everybody else is sleeping
I think of him and I'm happy
With the company I'm keeping
The city goes to bed
And I can live inside my head
On my own
Pretending he's beside me
All alone
I walk with him till morning
Without him
I feel his arms around me
And when I lose my way I close my eyes
And he has found me
In the rain the pavement shines like silver
All the lights are misty in the river
In the darkness, the trees are full of starlight
And all I see is him and me forever and forever
And I know it's only in my mind
That I'm talking to myself and not to him
And although he may be blind
Still I say, there's a way for us
I love him
But when the night is over
He is gone
The river's just a river
Without him
The world around me changes
The trees are bare and everywhere
The streets are full of strangers
I love him
But every day I'm learning
All my life
I've only been pretending
Without me
His world would go on turning
A world that's full of happiness
That I have never known
I love him
I love him
I love him
But only on my own.
DRINKER THREE
Come on you old pest
DRINKER TWO
Fetch a bottle of your best
DRINKER ONE
What's the nectar of the day?
(Thenardier enters with a flask of wine)
THENARDIER
Here, try this lot
Guaranteed to hit the spot
Or I'm not Thenardier
DRINKERS
Gissa glass a rum
Landlord, over here!
THENARDIER
Right away, you scum (to himself)
Right away, m'sieur (to customer)
DINER ONE
God this place has gone to hell
DINER TWO
So you tell me every year
DRINKER SIX
Mine host Thenardier
He was there so they say,
At the field of Waterloo
DRINKER SEVEN
Got there, it's true
When the fight was all through
DRINKER ONE
But he knew just what to do
Crawling through the mud
So I've heard it said
Picking through the pockets
Of the English dead
DRINKER EIGHT
He made a tidy score
From the spoils of war
THENARDIER
My band of soaks
My den of dissolutes
My dirty jokes, my always pissed as newts.
My sons of whores
Spent their lives in my inn
Homing pigeons homing in
They fly through my doors
And their money's as good as yours
DINER ONE
Ain't got a clue
What he put in this stew
Must have scraped it off the street
DINER TWO
God what a wine!
Chateau Neuf de Turpentine
Must have pressed it with his feet
DRINKERS
Landlord over here!
Where's the bloody man?
One more for the road!
Thenardier, one more slug o' gin.
GIRL
Just one more, or my old man is gonna do me in.
(Thenardier greets a new customer)
THENARDIER
Welcome, M'sieur
Sit yourself down
And meet the best
Innkeeper in town
As for the rest,
All of 'em crooks
Rooking their guests
And cooking the books.
Seldom do you see
Honest men like me
A gent of good intent
Who's content to be
Master of the house
Doling out the charm
Ready with a handshake
And an open palm
Tells a saucy tale
Makes a little stir
Customers appreciate a bon-viveur
Glad to do a friend a favor
Doesn't cost me to be nice
But nothing gets you nothing
Everything has got a little price!
Master of the house
Keeper of the zoo
Ready to relieve 'em
Of a sou or two
Watering the wine
Making up the weight
Pickin' up their knick-knacks
When they can't see straight
Everybody loves a landlord
Everybody's bosom friend
I do whatever pleases
Jesus! Won't I bleed 'em in the end!
THENARDIER & CHORUS
Master of the house
Quick to catch yer eye
Never wants a passerby
To pass him by
Servant to the poor
Butler to the great
Comforter, philosopher,
And lifelong mate!
Everybody's boon companion
Everybody's chaperone
THENARDIER
But lock up your valises
Jesus! Won't I skin you to the bone!
(To another new customer)
THENARDIER
Enter M'sieur
Lay down your load
Unlace your boots
And rest from the road
(Taking his bag)
This weighs a ton
Travel's a curse
But here we strive
To lighten your purse
Here the goose is cooked
Here the fat is fried
And nothing's overlooked
Till I'm satisfied...
Food beyond compare
Food beyond belief
Mix it in a mincer
And pretend it's beef
Kidney of a horse
Liver of a cat
Filling up the sausages
With this and that
Residents are more than welcome
Bridal suite is occupied
Reasonable charges
Plus some little extras on the side!
Charge 'em for the lice
Extra for the mice
Two percent for looking in the mirror twice
Here a little slice
There a little cut
Three percent for sleeping with the window shut
When it comes to fixing prices
There are a lot of tricks he knows
How it all increases
All those bits and pieces
Jesus! It's amazing how it grows!
THENARDIER AND CHORUS
Master of the house
Quick to catch yer eye
Never wants a passerby
To pass him by
Servant to the poor
Butler to the great
Comforter, philosopher,
And lifelong mate!
Everybody's boon companion
Gives 'em everything he's got
THENARDIER
Dirty bunch of geezers
Jesus! What a sorry little lot!
MME. THENARDIER
I used to dream
That I would meet a prince
But God Almighty,
Have you seen what's happened since?
`Master of the house?'
Isn't worth me spit!
`Comforter, philosopher'
- and lifelong shit!
Cunning little brain
Regular Voltaire
Thinks he's quite a lover
But there's not much there
What a cruel trick of nature
Landed me with such a louse
God knows how I've lasted
Living with this bastard in the house!
THENARDIER & CHORUS
Master of the house.
MME. THENARDIER
Master and a half!
THENARDIER & CHORUS
Comforter, philosopher
MME. THENARDIER
Ah, don't make me laugh!
THENARDIER & CHORUS
Servant to the poor. Butler to the great.
MME. THENARDIER
Hypocrite and toady and inebriate!
THENARDIER & CHORUS
Everybody bless the landlord!
Everybody bless his spouse!
THENARDIER
Everybody raise a glass
MME. THENARDIER
Raise it up the master's arse.
ALL
Everybody raise a glass to the master of the house!
There is a castle on a cloud,
I like to go there in my sleep.
Aren't anyfloors for me to sweep,
Not in my castle on a loud.
There is a room thats full of toys,
There a hundred boys and girls.
Nobody shouts or talks to loud,
Not in my castle on a cloud.
There is a lady all in white,
Holds me and sings a lulaby.
She nice to see and she's soft to touch
She says, Cosett, i love you very much.
I know a place where no-one's lost,
I know a place where no-one cries.
Crying at all is not allowed,
Not in mt castle on a cloud.
VALJEAN
God on high
Hear my prayer
In my need
You have always been there
He is young
He's afraid
Let him rest
Heaven blessed.
Bring him home
Bring him home
Bring him home.
He's like the son I might have known
If God had granted me a son.
The summers die
One by one
How soon they fly
On and on
And I am old
And will be gone.
Bring him peace
Bring him joy
He is young
He is only a boy
You can take
You can give
Let him be
Let him live
If I die, let me die
Let him live
Bring him home
Bring him home
Bring him home.
BEGGARS
Look down and see the beggars at your feet
Look down and show some mercy if you can
Look down and see the sweepings of the street
Look down, look down,
Upon your fellow man!
GAVROCHE
'Ow do you do? My name's Gavroche.
These are my people. Here's my patch.
Not much to look at, nothing posh
Nothing that you'd call up to scratch.
This is my school, my high society
Here in the slums of Saint Michele
We live on crumbs of humble piety
Tough on the teeth, but what the hell!
Think you're poor?
Think you're free?
Follow me! Follow me!
BEGGARS
Look down and show some mercy if you can
Look down, look down, upon your fellow man!
(An old beggar woman finds a young prostitute occupying her pitch)
OLD BEGGAR WOMAN
What you think yer at?
Hanging round me pitch?
If you're new around here, girl
You've got a lot to learn!
YOUNG PROSTITUTE
Listen you old bat...
Crazy bloody witch...
'Least I give me customers
Some pleasure in return!
OLD BEGGAR WOMAN
I know what you give!
Give 'em all the pox!
Spread around your poison
Till they end up in a box.
PIMP
Leave the poor old cow,
Move it, Madeleine.
She used to be no better
Till the clap got to her brain.
BEGGARS
When's it gonna end?
When we gonna live?
Something's gotta happen now or
Something's gonna give
It'll come, it'll come, it'll come
It'll come, it'll come, it'll come
ENJOLRAS
Where the leaders of the land?
Where are the swells who run this show?
MARIUS
Only one man - and that's Lamarque
Speaks for these people here below.
BEGGARS
See our children fed
Help us in our shame
Something for a crust of bread
In Holy Jesus' name
URCHIN
In the Lord's Holy name.
BEGGARS
In his name, in his name, in his name...
MARIUS
Lamarque is ill and fading fast!
Won't last the week out, so they say.
ENJOLRAS
With all the anger in the land
How long before the judgement day?
Before we cut the fat ones down to size?
Before the barricades arise?
GAVROCHE
Watch out for old Thenardier
All of his family's on the make
Once ran a hash-house down the way
Bit of a swine and no mistake
He's got a gang
The bleeding layabout
Even his daughter does her share
That's Eponine, she knows her way about
Only a kid, but hard to scare
Do we care?
Not a cuss
Long live us.
Long live us!
BEGGARS
Look down and show some mercy if you can
Look down, look down upon your fellow man!
MARIUS
There's a grief that can't be spoken.
There's a pain goes on and on.
Empty chairs at empty tables
Now my friends are dead and gone.
Here they talked of revolution.
Here it was they lit the flame.
Here they sang about `tomorrow'
And tomorrow never came.
From the table in the corner
They could see a world reborn
And they rose with voices ringing
I can hear them now!
The very words that they had sung
Became their last communion
On the lonely barricade at dawn.
Oh my friends, my friends forgive me
(The ghosts of those who died on the barricade appear)
That I live and you are gone.
There's a grief that can't be spoken.
There's a pain goes on and on.
Phantom faces at the window.
Phantom shadows on the floor.
Empty chairs at empty tables
Where my friends will meet no more.
(The ghosts fade away)
Oh my friends, my friends, don't ask me
What your sacrifice was for
Empty chairs at empty tables
Where my friends will sing no more.
EPONINE
Don't you fret, M'sieur Marius
I don't feel any pain
A little fall of rain
Can hardly hurt me now
You're here, that's all I need to know
And you will keep me safe
And you will keep me close
And rain will make the flowers grow.
MARIUS
But you will live, 'Ponine - dear God above,
If I could heal your wounds with words of love.
EPONINE
Just hold me now, and let it be.
Shelter me, comfort me
MARIUS
You would live a hundred years
If I could show you how
I won't desert you now...
EPONINE
The rain can't hurt me now
This rain will wash away what's past
And you will keep me safe
And you will keep me close
I'll sleep in your embrace at last.
The rain that brings you here
Is Heaven-blessed!
The skies begin to clear
And I'm at rest
A breath away from where you are
I've come home from so far
So don't you fret, M'sieur Marius
I don't feel any pain
A little fall of rain
Can hardly hurt me now
That's all I need to know
And you will keep me safe
And you will keep me close
MARIUS(in counterpoint)
Hush-a-bye, dear Eponine,
You won't feel any pain
A little fall of rain
Can hardly hurt you now
I'm here
I will stay with you
Till you are sleeping
EPONINE
And rain...
MARIUS
And rain...
EPONINE
Will make the flowers...
MARIUS
Will make the flowers... grow...
(She dies. Marius kisses her, then lays her on the ground)
ENJOLRAS
She is the first to fall
The first of us to fall upon this barricade
MARIUS
Her name was Eponine
Her life was cold and dark, yet she was unafraid.
COMBEFERRE
We fight here in her name
PROUVAIRE
She will not die in vain.
LESGLES
She will not be betrayed.
(They carry her body off)
[Valjean and Young Cosette arrive at the now empty inn,
hand in hand.]
Valjean
I found her wandering in the wood
This little child, I found her trembling in the shadows
And I am here to help Cosette
And I will settle any debt you may think proper
I will pay what I must pay
To take Cosette away.
There is a duty I must heed,
There is a promise I have made
For I was blind to one in need
I did not see what stood before me
Now her mother is with God
Fantine's suffering is over
And I speak here with her voice
And I stand here in her place
And from this day and evermore
Mme. Thenardier
Let me have your coat, M'sieur
Valjean
Cosette shall live in my protection
Thenardier
You are very welcome here
Valjean
I shall not forsake my vow
Thenardier
Take a glass
Mme. Thenardier
Take a chair
Valjean
Eponine
'Parnasse, what are you doing
So far out of our patch?
Montparnasse
This house, we're going to do it
Rich man, plenty of scratch
You remember he's the one
Who got away the other day
Got a number on his chest
Perhaps a fortune put away!
Eponine
Oh Lord, somebody help me!
Dear God, what'll I do?
He'll think this is an ambush
He'll think I'm in it too!
What'll I do, what'll I say?
I've got to warn them here
I've got to find a way.
[Thenardier arrives with the rest of his gang.]
Thenardier
This is his lair
I've seen the old fox around
He keeps himself to himself
He's staying close to the ground
I smell profit here!
Ten years ago
He came and paid for Cosette
I let her go for a song
It's time we settled the debt
This'll cost him dear
Brujon
What do I care
Who you should rob
Give me my share
Finish the job!
Thenardier
You shut your mouth
Give me your hand
[He notices Eponine but doesn't recognize her.]
Brujon
What have we here?
Thenardier
Who is this hussy?
Babet
It's your brat Eponine
Don't you know your own kid
Why's she hanging about you?
Thenardier
'Ponine, get on home
You're not needed in this
We're enough here without you
Eponine
I know this house
I tell you there's nothing here for you
Just the old man and the girl
They live ordinary lives
Thenardier
Don't interfere
You've got some gall
Take care, young miss,
You've got a lot to say!
Brujon
She's going soft
Claquesous
Happens to all
Montparnasse
Go home, 'Ponine,
Go home, you're in the way
Eponine
I'm gonna scream, I'm gonna warn them here.
Thenardier
One little scream and you'll regret it for a year.
Claquesous
What a palaver
What an absolute treat
To watch a cat and it's father
Pick a bone in the street
Brujon
Not a sound out of you!
Eponine
Well I told you I'd do it, told you I'd do it...
[She screams.]
Thenardier
You wait my girl, you'll rue this night
I'll make you scream, you'll scream all right
Leave her to me, don't wait around
Make for the sewers, go underground!
[The gang scatters.]
Marius
It was your cry sent them away
Once more 'Ponine saving the day
Dearest Cosette, my friend 'Ponine
Brought me to you, showed me the way!
Someone is near
Let's not be seen
Somebody's here...
[Marius leaves quickly as Valjean enters.]
Valjean
My God, Cosette
I heard a cry in the dark
I heard the shout of angry voices in the street.
Cosette
That was my cry you heard, Papa.
I was afraid of what they'd do.
They ran away when they heard my cry
Valjean
Cosette, my child, what will become of you?
Cosette
Three men I saw beyond the wall
Three men in shadow moving fast
Valjean
This is a warning to us all
These are the shadows of the past
Must be Javert!
He's found my cover at last!
I've got to get Cosette away
Before they return!
We must get away from shadows
They will never let us be
Tomorrow to Calais
Then a ship across the sea!
Hurry, Cosette, prepare to leave and say no more
Tomorrow we'll away!
Hurry, Cosette, it's time to close another door
[Valjean arrives, dressed as a soldier.]
Joly
Here comes a man in uniform
What brings you to this place?
Valjean
I come here as a volunteer
Joly
Approach and show your face.
Sentry
You wear an army uniform.
Valjean
That's why they let me through.
Joly
You've got some years behind you sir.
Valjean
There's much that I can do.
Joly
You see that prisoner over there?
Grantaire
A volunteer like you!
Combeferre
A spy who calls himself Javert!
Grantaire
He's going to get it too...
Sentry
[The docks. Sailors, whores and their customers, pimps, etc. Fantine wanders in.]
Sailors
I smell women
Smell 'em in the air
Think I'll drop my anchor
In that harbor over there
Lovely ladies
Smell 'em through the smoke
Seven days at sea
Can make you hungry for a poke
Even stokers need a little stoke!
Whores
Lovely ladies
Waiting for a bite
Waiting for the customer
Who only comes at night
Lovely ladies
Waiting for the call
Standing up or lying down
Or any way at all
Bargain prices up against the wall
Old Woman
Come here, my dear
Let's see this trinket you wear
This bagatelle...
Fantine
Madame, I'll sell it to you...
Old Woman
I'll give you four
Fantine
That wouldn't pay for the chain
Old Woman
I'll give you five, you're far to eager to sell, it's up to you.
Fantine
It's all I have
Old Woman
That's not my fault
Fantine
Please make it ten
Old Woman
No more than five
My dear, we all must stay alive!
Whores
Lovely ladies
Waiting in the dark
Ready for a thick one
Or a quick one in the park
Long time short time
Any time, my dear
Cost a little extra if you want to take all year!
Quick and cheap is underneath the pier!
Crone
What pretty hair
What pretty locks you got there
What luck you got, it's worth a centime my dear
I'll take the lot
Fantine
Don't touch me leave me alone
Crone
Let's make a price, I'll give you all of ten francs
Just think of that!
Fantine
It pays a debt
Crone
Just think of that
Fantine
What can I do? It pays a debt.
Ten francs may save my poor Cosette!
Whores
Lovely ladies
Lovely little girls
Lovely ladies
Lovely little ladies
Lovely girlies
Lovely little girls
We are lovely, lovely girls
Lovely ladies
What's a lady for? Sailors
Lovely lady!
Fastest on the street
Wasn't there three minutes
She was back up on her feet
Lovely lady!
What yer waiting for?
Doesn't take a lot of savvy
Just to be a whore
Come on, lady
What's a lady for?
[Fantine re-emerges, her long hair cut short.]
Pimp
Give me the dirt, who's that bit over there?
Whore 1
A bit of skirt, she's the one sold her hair.
Whore 2
She's got a kid sends her all that she can
Pimp
I might have known
There is always some man
Lovely lady, come along and join us!
Lovely lady!
Whores
Come on dearie, why all the fuss?
You're no grander than the rest of us
Life has dropped you at the bottom of the heap
Join your sisters, make money in your sleep!
[Fantine goes off with one of the sailors.]
That's right dearie, let him have the lot
That's right dearie, show him what you've got!
Old men, young men, take 'em as they come
Harbor rats and alley cats and every type of scum
Poor men, rich men, leaders of the land
See them with their trousers off they're never quite as grand
All it takes is money in your hand!
Lovely ladies
Going for a song
Got a lot of callers
But they never stay for long
Fantine
Come on, Captain
You can wear your shoes
Don't it make a change
To have a girl who can't refuse
Easy money
Lying on a bed
Just as well they never see
The hate that's in your head
Don't they know they're making love
[The women of Paris mourn their lost loved ones.]
Women
Did you see them
Going off to fight?
Children of the barricade
Who didn't last the night?
Did you see them
Lying where they died?
Someone used to cradle them
And kiss them when they cried.
Did you see them
Lying side by side?
Who will wake them?
No one ever will.
No one ever told them
That a summer day can kill.
They were schoolboys
Never held a gun
Fighting for a new world
That would rise up like the sun
Where's that new world
Now the fighting's done?
Nothing changes, nothing ever will
Every year another brat, another mouth to fill.
Same old story, what's the use of tears?
What's the use of praying if there's nobody who hears?
Turning, turning, turning, turning, turning
Through the years.
Turning, turning, turning through the years
Minutes into hours and the hours into years.
Nothing changes, nothing ever can
Round and round the roundabout and back where you began!
Trinkt mit mir auf all die Zeit
Singt mit mir, die Nacht ist weich
Träumt von all den Mädelsdie man gern hätt
Denk an all die Mädels
in eurem Bett
Trinkt auf sie
und trinkt auf euch
Trinkt mit mir auf all die zeit
Schließlich ist der Tod nicht weit
Wer wird an dich denken, wenn du krepierst
Kann es sein, dass du kein Schwein interessierst
Heldentraum- und Wirklichkeit...
Trinkt mit mirAuf alldie ZeitAuf den Tagund aufdas Licht
Dass der Schrein der Freundschaft keinen betrügt
Dass der Wein der Freundschaft
niemals versiegt
Trink auf dichund trinkt
auf mich
Bald schon fährt sie über´s Meer
Heut empfängt mein Herz den Stich
Nur mit dir, Cosette
wenn Marius fällt?
Od du weinst,
Cosette,
[Enjolras is addressing the revolutionaries.]
Enjolras
Here upon these stones
We will build our barricade
In the heart of the city
We claim as our own!
Each man to his duty
And don't be afraid.
Wait! I will need a report
On the strength of the foe.
Javert [disguised as a rebel]
I can find out the truth
I know their ways
Fought their wars
Served my time
In the days
Of my youth!
Various Students
Now the people will fight
And so they might
Dogs will back
Fleas will bite.
They will do what is right
[Marius spots Eponine, who is dressed as a boy.]
Marius
Hey little boy, what's this I see?
God Eponine, the things you do!
Eponine
I know this is no place for me
Still I would rather be with you.
Marius
Get out before the trouble starts
Get out, 'Ponine, you might get shot
Eponine
I got you worried, now I have
That shows you like me quite a lot
Marius
There is a way that you can help
You are the answer to a prayer
Please take this letter to Cosette
And pray to God that she's still there!
[She walks to the Rue Plumet...]
Eponine
Little you know...
Little you care!
[...where she meets Valjean.]
I have a letter M'sieur
It's addressed to your daughter Cosette
It's from a boy at the barricade, Sir
In the Rue de Villette.
Valjean
Give me that letter here, my boy
Eponine
He said to give it to Cosette
Valjean
You have my word that my daughter will know
What this letter contains.
[He gives her a coin.]
Tell the young man she will read it tomorrow
And here's for your pains
Go careful now, stay out of sight
There's danger in the streets tonight.
[He opens the letter... and reads it.]
``Dearest Cosette, you have entered my soul
And soon you will be gone.
Can it be only a day since we met
And the world was reborn?
If I should fall in the battle to come
Let this be my goodbye
Now that I know you love me as well
It is harder to die...
I pray that god will bring me home
To be with you.
Pray for your Marius, he prays for you!''
Thenardier
What to do? What to say?
Shall you carry our treasure away?
What a gem! What a pearl!
Beyond rubies is our little girl!
How can we speak of debt?
Let's not haggle for darling Cosette!
Dear Fantine, gone to rest
Have we done for her child what is best?
Shared our bread, shared each bone
Treated her like she's one of our own!
Like our own, Monsieur!
Valjean
Your feelings do you credit, sir
And I will ease the parting blow
[He pays them.]
Let us not talk of bargains or bones or greed
Now, may I say, we are agreed?
Mme. Thenardier
That would quite fit the bill
If she hadn't so often been ill
Little dear, cost us dear
Medicines are expensive, M'sieur
Not that we begrudged a sou
It's no more than we Christians must do!
M. and Mme. Thenardier
One thing more, one small doubt
There are treacherous people about
No offense, please reflect
Your intentions may not be... correct?
Valjean
No more words, here's your price.
Fifteen hundred for your sacrifice
Come, Cosette, say goodbye,
Let us seek out some friendlier sky.
Thank you both for Cosette
It won't take you too long to forget.
[Valjean and Cosette leave the inn.]
Come, Cosette, come, my dear
From now on I will always be here
Where I go, you will be.
Cosette
Will there be children
And castles to see?
Valjean
Yes, Cosette,
Yes, it's true
[The crowd parts to reveal that the cart has crashed,
trapping M. Fauchelevant.]
Voices
Look at that!
Look at that!
It's Monsieur Fauchelevant!
Don't approach! Don't go near!
At the risk of your life!
He is caught by the wheel!
Oh, the pitiful man.
Stay away, turn away,
There is nothing to do..
There is nothing to do..
Valjean
Is there anyone here
Who will rescue the man?
Who will help me to shoulder
The weight of the cart?
Voices
Don't go near him, Mr. Mayor
The load is heavy as hell
The old man's a goner for sure
It'll kill you as well.
[Valjean attempts to lift the cart. They manage to pull
Fauchelevant clear.]
Fauchelevant
M'sieur le Mayor, I have no words
You come from God, you are a saint.
[Javert takes Valjean aside.]
Javert
Can this be true?
I don't believe what I see!
A man your age
To be as strong as you are...
A memory stirs..
You make me think of a man
From years ago
A man who broke his parole
He disappeared
Forgive me, Sir,
I would not dare!
Valjean
Say what you must, don't leave it there.
Javert
I have only known one other
Who can do what you have done
He's a convict from the chain gang
He's been ten years on the run
But he couldn't run forever
We have found his hideaway
And he's just been re-arrested
And he comes to court today.
Of course he now denies it
You'd expect that of a con
But he couldn't run forever,
No, not even Jean Valjean!
Valjean
You say this man denies it all
And gives no sign of understanding or repentance?
You say this man is going to trial
And that's he's sure to be returned
To serve his sentence?
Come to that, can you be sure,
That I am not your man?
Javert
I have known the thief for ages
Tracked him down through thick and thin
And to make the matter certain
There's the brand upon his skin
He will bend, he will break
This time there is no mistake.
[Thenardier assembiling his gang.]
Thenardier
Everyone here, you know your place
Brujon, Babet, Claqusous
You, Montparnasse, watch for the law
With Eponine, take care.
You turn on the tears
No mistakes, my dears
Mme. Thenardier
These bloody students on our street
Here they come slumming once again
Our Eponine would kiss their feet
She never had a scrap of brain
Marius
Eponine, what's up today?
I haven't seen you much about.
Eponine
Here, you can always catch me in.
Marius
Mind the police don't catch you out!
Eponine
Here, whatcher doing with all them books?
I could have been a student too!
Don't judge a girl on how she looks...
I know a lot of things I do!
Marius
Poor Eponine, the things you know
You wouldn't find in books like these.
Eponine
I like the way you grow your hair
Marius
I like the way you always tease
Eponine
Little he knows!
Little he sees!
[Valjean arrives with Cosette, now grown up.]
Mme. Thenardier
Here's the old boy. Stay on the job and watch out for
the law.
Eponine [to Marius]
Stay out of this.
Marius
But Eponine...
Eponine
You'll be in trouble here
It's not your concern
You'll be in the clear
[She pushes Marius away.]
Marius
Who is that man?
Eponine
Leave me alone!
Marius
Why is he here? Hey, Eponine!
[He begins to follow her, and bumps into Cosette.]
I didn't see you there, forgive me.
Thenardier
Please M'sieur, come this way
Here's a child that ain't eaten today.
Save a life, spare a sou
God rewards all the good that you do.
Wait a bit. Know that face.
Ain't the world a remarkable place?
Men like me don't forget
You're the bastard that borrowed Cosette!
[Thenardier grabs Valjean and rips open his shirt,
revealing the number on his chest.]
Valjean
What is this? Are you mad?
No, Monsieur, you don't know what you do!
Thenardier
You know me, you know me.
I'm a con, just like you.
Eponine
It's the police! Disappear!
[Enjolras gives Valjean a gun.]
Enjolras
Take this and use it well!
But if you shoot us in the back,
You'll never live to tell.
Random Voices
Platoon of sappers advancing toward the barricade!
Troops behind them, fifty men or more!
Enjolras
FIRE!
[Gunfire is heard.]
Feuilly
Sniper!
[Valjean shoots a sniper who is aiming at Enjolras.]
Lesgles
See how they run away!
Grantaire
By God we've won the day!
Enjolras
They will be back again,
Make an attack again.
[To Valjean.]
For your presence of mind
For the deed you have done
I will thank you M'sieur
When our battle is won.
Valjean
Give me no thanks M'sieur
There is something that you can do.
Enjolras
If it is in my power...
Valjean
Give me the spy Javert
Let me take care of him
Javert
The law is inside out
The world is upside down
Enjolras
Do what you have to do,
The man belongs to you.
The enemy may be regrouping. Hold yourself in readiness.
Come my friends, back to your positions.
The night is falling fast...
[Valjean has taken Javert away.]
Valjean
We meet again.
Javert
You've hungered for this all your life;
Take your revenge!
How right you should kill with a knife!
[Valjean cuts the ropes which bind Javert.]
Valjean
You talk too much,
Your life is safe in my hands.
Javert
I don't understand
Valjean
Get out of here.
Javert
Valjean, take care,
I'm warning you...
Valjean
Clear out of here.
Javert
Once a theif, forever a theif
What you want you always steal!
You would trade your life for mine.
Yes, Valjean, you want a deal.
Shoot me now for all I care!
If you let me go beware.
You'll still answer to Javert!
Valjean
You are wrong, and always have been wrong.
I'm a man, no worse than any man.
You are free, and there are no conditions,
No bargains or petitions.
There's nothing that I blame you for.
You've done your duty, nothing more.
If I come out of this alive, you'll find me
At number fifty-five Rue Plumet
No doubt our paths will cross again.
[Valjean fires his gun into the air, Javert leaves quickly.
Muted applause from the students who think Javert has
been shot.]
Enjolras
Courfeyrac, you take the watch
They won't attack until it's light
Everybody stay awake
We must be ready for the fight
For the final fight
Hört ihr wie das Volk erklingt
Von unserer Wut erzählt der Wind
Das ist die Sinfonie von Menschen
Die nicht länger Sklaven sind
Jedes Herz schlägt wie es kann
Unsere Hezen trommeln laut
Alles fängt ganz von Neuem an
Wenn der Morgen graut
Wenn die Barrikade ruft
Dann bebt der Feind vor unserem Schrei
Wir bauen eine Welt
Ganz ohne Hass und Tyrannei
Drum schließt euch uns an
Jede Frau, jeder Mann, und seit frei
Hört ihr wie das Volk erklingtVon unserer Wut erzählt der Wind
Das ist die Sinfonie von Menschen
Die nicht länger Sklaven sind
Jedes Herz schlägt wie es kann
Unsere Herzen trommeln laut
Alles fängt ganz vom Neuen an
Wenn der Morgen graut
Wenn du kämpfst mit ganzer Kraft
Hat bald ein Ende alle Not
Mancher wird dahingerafft
Stirbt einen ehrenvollen Tod
Die Erde von Frankreich:
vom Blut unserer Helden hellrot
Hört ihr wie das Volk erklingt
Von unserer Wut erzählt der Wind
Das ist die Sinfonie von Menschen
Die nicht länger Sklaven sind
Jedes Herz schlägt wie es kann
Unsere Herzen trommeln laut
Alles fängt ganz von Neuem an
Who is this man?
What sort of devil is he,
to have me caught in a trap,
and choose to let me go free.
It was his power at last
to put a seal on my fate,
wipe out the past,
and wash me clean off the slate.
All it would take
was a flick of his knife.
Vengeance was his,
and he gave me back my life.
Damned if I'll live in
the debt of a thief.
Damned if I'll yield
at the end of the chase.
I am the law
and the law is not mocked.
I'll spit his pity
right back in his face.
There is nothing on earth that we share.
It is either Valjean or Javert.
How can I now allow this man
to hold dominion over me?
This desperate man whom I have hunted,
He gave me my life;
He gave me freedom.
I should have perished by his hand;
It was his right.
It was my right to die as well.
Instead, I live,
but live in hell.
And my thoughts fly apart.
Can this man be believed?
Shall his crimes be forgiven?
Shall his crimes be reprieved?
And must I now begin to doubt,
who never doubted all these years?
MY heart is stone
and still it trembles.
The world I have known
is lost in shadows.
Is he from heaven or from hell,
and does he know
that granting me my life today,
this man has killed me even so?
I am reaching
but I fall.
And the stars are black and cold
as I stare into the void
of a world that cannot hold.
I'll escape now from that world,
from the world of Jean Valjean.
There is nowhere I can turn,
There is no way to go on.
[Javert and constables break up the fight. Valjean
picks himself up and looks for Cosette, who is with
Marius.]
Javert
Another brawl in the square
Another stink in the air!
Was there a witness to this?
Well, let him speak to Javert!
M'sieur, the streets are not safe,
But let these vermin beware
We'll see that justice is done!
Look upon this fine collection
Crawled from underneath a stone
This swarm of worms and maggots
Could have picked you to the bone!
I know this man over here
I know his name and his trade
And on your witness, M'sieur,
We'll see him suitably paid.
[Valjean and Cosette have disappeared.]
But where's the gentleman gone?
And why on earth did he run?
Thenardier
You will have a job to catch him
He's the one you should arrest
No more bourgeois when you scratch him
Than that brand upon his chest!
[The constables search for Valjean.]
Javert
Could it be he's some old jailbird
That the tide now washes in
Heard my name and started running
Had the brand upon his skin
And the girl who stood beside him
When I turned they both had gone
Could he be the man I've hunted?
Could it be he's Jean Valjean?
Thenardier
In the absence of a victim,
Dear Inspector, may I go?
And remember when you've nicked him,
It was me who told you so!
Javert
Let the old man keep on running
I will run him off his feet!
Everyone about your business
Komm her, Warzenschwein!
Nur vom feinsten darf es sein
Nektar bis ich nimmer steh
Wie wär´s mit dem
Der beduselt sich extrem
der verspricht Thenardier
Wirt, komm endlich her
Stell ihm doch ein Bein
Ein´n für unterwegs
einer geht noch rein
Nicht mit mir, ich bin voll
Keiner paßt mehr bei mir rein
Immer herein
Ich krieg sie satt
Ich bin der bester Wirt in der ganzen Stadt
Die Konkurenz
panscht und betrügt
Rechnet sie schwindelig
knausert und lügt
Selten finden sie
soviel sympathie
ein Ehrenmann bin ich
drum beehren sie mich
Ich bin Herr im Haus
taktvoll und charmant
MEINE halt ich auf
und küsse IHRE Hand
Ich bring euch in Schwung
Manchmal auch in Wut
meine Gäste lieben mich
als Tunichtgut
Alles gäb ich her für Freunde
Aber wie ein Jäger weiß:
Gehört dir nichts, dann biste gar nichts
Jedes Ding hat seinen Preis
Ich bin Herr im Haus
Ich bin hier Dompteur
Nehm euch einen Sou ab
oder auch mal mehr
Wasser in den Wein
Wenn ihr nicht mehr steht
krall ich euren Klunker
weil ihr nicht mehr seht
Waren sie mit mir zufrieden
Hat´s euch wieder Spaß gemacht
Für euch tu ich doch alles
aber wartet, wer als Letzter lacht
Ich bin Herr im Haus
Werd´s auch immer sei
Keiner kommt an diesem
Schwadroneur vorbei
Bei den Armen groß
Bei den Reichen klein
Jedem Kunde will ich
Freund für´s Leben sein
Jeder möchte mit mir trinken
Jeder mag mein Fuchsgesicht
Doch bin ich etwa Krösus
Jesus! Für Gard´robe ich nicht
Treten sie ein
Was darf es ein
Mein Haus ist ihr Haus
Ruh´n sie sich aus
Wie war der Weg?
Welch für eine Last
Wir sind bemüht
Erleichtern den Gast...
Wer den Braten riecht
kriegt hier auch sein fett
das fürstliche Menü
ist sogleich komplett
Kost vom anderen Stern
Nirgends so wie hier
Stopf es in den Fleischwolf
und schon nennt sich´s Tier
Leber von der Katz
Niere aus dem Pferd
Fehlt was an der Wurst
Mach ich mit Popel schwer
Welches Zimmer darf ich richten
Voll ist nur die Hochzeitssuite
Preise ohne Extras
Was dann ein paar Extras nach sich zieht!
Aufschlag für die Laus
Extra für die Maus
Ein Prozent ist Stufengeld für´s Treppenhaus
Zwei für Fenster zu
Drei für Fenster auf
Mond gibt´s heute günstig: Gott da leg ich drauf
Gott diktiert mir nicht die Preise
Da gibt´s ne Menge Tricks
Wie das immer mehr wird
Wie die Börse leer wird
Nein, nicht nur die Kosten sind hier fix!
Ich bin Herr im Haus
Wer´s auch immer sei
Keiner kommt an diesemSchadroneur vorbei
Bei den Armen groß
Bei den Reichen klein
Jedem Kunde will ichFreund für´s Leben sein
Jeder möchte mit mir trinken
Jeder mag mein Fuchsgesicht
Was für eine Bande
Schade! Wofür opfere ich mich?
Ich träumte oft ein Prinz wollt mich entführn
Warum im Himmel
Mußte mir so ein Kerl passieren
Der und Herr im Haus
Selten so gelacht!
Stammtischphiloseph
Der nichts als Bockmist macht
Taschendiebgehirn
glaubt, er hätt Esprit
Glaubt , er wäre gut im Bett
bloß ICH merk´s nie
Welcher böse Dreh des Schicksal
gab mir statt ´nem Pelz ´ne Laus
Was hab´ich erdultet
neben diesem Bastard hier im Haus!
Ich bin herr im Haus.....
....na das möcht ich seh´n
Jedem Kunden will ich....
....an die Wäsche geh´n
Bei den Armen groß
bei den Reichen klein.....
....Speichellecker, Heuchler
und auch sonst ein Schwein!
Dreimal Hoch auf unsern Wirt hier
Nie geh´ ihm der Fusel ausch!
Schieb es dir doch in den Aasch!
Wir erheben unser Glaasch auf
[Bamatabois is a well dressed gentleman.]
Bamatabois
Here's something new, I think I'll give it a try.
Come closer you! I like to see what I buy
The usual price, for just a slice of your pie
Fantine
I don't want you, no, no, m'sieur, let me go.
Bamatabois
Is this a trick? I won't pay more!
Fantine
No, not at all.
Bamatabois
You've got some nerve, you little whore
You've got some gall.
It's the same with a tart as it is with a grocer
The customer sees what he gets in advance
It's not for the whore to say 'yes sir' or 'no sir'
It's not for the harlot to pick and to choose
Or lead me to a dance!
[He hits her with his stick, she claws at his face,
drawing blood.]
Fantine
I'll kill you, you bastard, try any of that!
Even a whore who has gone to the bad
Won't be had by a rat!
Bamatabois
By Christ you'll pay for what you have done
This rat will make you bleed, you'll see!
I guarantee, I'll make you suffer
For this disturbance of the peace
For this insult to life and property!
Fantine
I beg you, don't report me sir
I'll do whatever you may want
Bamatabois
Make your excuse to the police!
[Javert enters, accompanied by constables.]
Javert
Tell me quickly what's the story
Who saw what and why and where
Let him give a full description
Let him answer to Javert!
In this nest of whores and vipers
Let one speak who saw it all
Who laid hands on this good man here?
What's the substance of this brawl?
Bamatabois
Javert, would you belive it
I was crossing from the park
When this prostitute attacked me
You can see she left her mark
Javert
She will answer for her actions
When you make a full report
You may rest assured, M'sieur,
That she will answer to the court.
Fantine
There's a child who sorely needs me
Please M'sieur, she's but that high
Holy God, is there no mercy?
If I go to jail she'll die!
Javert
I have heard such protestations
Every day for twenty years
Let's have no more explanations
Save your breath and save your tears
Honest work, just reward,
That's the way to please the Lord.
[Fantine gives a last despairing cry as she is arrested.
Valjean emerges from the crowd.]
Valjean
A moment of your time, Javert
I do believe this woman's tale
Javert
But M'sieur Mayor!
Valjean
You've done your duty
Let her be
She needs a doctor, not a jail.
Javert
But M'sieur Mayor!
Fantine
Can this be?
Valjean
Where will she end -
This child without a friend?
I've seen your face before
Show me some way to help you
How have you come to grief
In a place such as this?
Fantine
M'sieur, don't mock me now, I pray
It's hard enough I've lost my pride
You let your foreman send me away
Yes, you were there, and turned aside
I never did no wrong
Valjean Fantine
Is it true, what I have done? My daughter's close to
dying
To an innocent soul? If there's a God above
Had I only known then... He'd let me die instead
Valjean
In His name my task has just begun
I will see it done!
I will see it done!
Javert
But M'sieur Mayor!
Valjean
I will see it done!
Javert
But M'sieur Mayor!
Voices
[Cosette arrives to help Marius in his recovery.]
Cosette
Every day
You walk with stronger step
You walk with longer step
The worst is over
Marius
Every day
I wonder every day
Who was it brought me here
From the barricade?
Cosette
Don't think about it, Marius.
With all the years ahead of us!
I will never go away
And we will be together
Every day. Every day,
We'll remember that night
And the vow that we made:
`A heart full of love
A night full of you'
The words are old
But always true
Oh, God, for shame
You did not even know my name.
Marius
Dear Mad'moiselle
I was lost in your spell.
[Valjean enters, unnoticed.]
Cosette Valjean (to himself)
A heart full of love She was never mine to keep
No fear no regret She is youthful
`My name is Marius Pontmercy' She is free.
Marius
Cosette, Cosette!
Cosette
I saw you waiting and I knew. Love is the garden of the young
Marius
Waiting for you
At your feet Let it be
Cosette
At your call Let it be
Both
And it wasn't a dream A heart full of love
Not a dream This I give you
After all On this day.
[They notice Valjean.]
Marius
M'sieur, this is a day
I can never forget
Is gratitude enough
For giving me Cosette?
Your home shall be with us
And not a day shall pass
But will will prove our love
To you, whom we shall call
A father to us both
A father to us all.
Dieser Schmerz kennt keinen Namen
Niemand bringt sie wieder her.
Dunkles Schweigen an den Tischen
Meine Freunde sind nicht mehr.
Hier erhob sich ihre Flamme
hier ergriff sie Mann für Mann
Hier besangen sie die Zukunft
Doch die Zukunft brach nicht an
Von dem Tisch dort tief im Winkel
Schauten sie die neue Welt
Und ihr Lied stieg hoch zum Himmel
Ich vernehm´ sie noch
Denn jedes Wort hat sie geeint
Zum Abendmahl der Freundschaft
Für den Barrikadentod als Held.
Meine Freunde, seid mir gnädig,
Ich vermisse euch so sehr
Dieser Schmerz kennt keinen Namen
Niemand bringt euch wieder her
An den Fenstern starr´n Gespenster
Werfen Schatten in den Raum.
Dunkles Schweigen an den Tischen,
Keiner teilt mit mir den Traum.
Meine Freunde, fragt mich niemals,
Ob sich solch ein Opfer lohnt.
Dunkles SChweigen an den Tischen,
[Thenardier is picking through the corpses in the sewers.]
Thenardier
Here's a hint of gold
Stuck into a tooth
Pardon me M'sieur
You won't be needing this no more.
Shouldn't be too hard to sell.
Add it to the pile
Add it to the stock
Here among the sewer rats
A breath away from hell
You get accustomed to the smell.
Well someone's got to clean 'em up, my friends
Bodies on the highway
Law and order upside down
Someone's got to collect their odds and ends
As a service to the town!
[Valjean arrives, carrying Marius, and collapses.
Thenardier robs Marius.]
Here's a tasty ring
Pretty little thing
Wouldn't want to waste it
That would really be a crime
Thank you sir, I'm in your debt
Here's another toy
Take it off the boy
His heart's no longer going
And he's lived his little time
But his watch is ticking yet!
Well, someone's got to clean them up, my friends
Before the little harvest
Disappears into the mud
Someone's got to collect their odds and ends
When the gutters run with blood.
It's a world where the dog eats the dog
Where they kill for bones in the street
And God in His Heaven
He don't interfere
'Cause he's dead as the stiffs at my feet
I raise my eyes to see the heavens
And only the moon looks down
The harvest moon shines down!
[He turns over Valjean's body, recognizes him, and leaves.
Eventually, Valjean picks up Marius again and walks through
the sewers. As they emerge, they meet Javert.]
Valjean
It's you, Javert
I knew you wouldn't wait too long
The faithful servant at his post once more!
This man's done no wrong,
And he needs a doctor's care.
Javert
I warned you I would not give in
I won't be swayed
Valjean
Another hour yet
And then I'm yours
And all our debts are paid.
Javert
The man of mercy
Comes again
And talks of justice
Valjean
Come, time is running short
Look down, Javert
He's standing in his grave
Give way, Javert
There is a life to save.
Javert
Take him Valjean,
Before I change my mind
I will be waiting
24601.
[Day breaks.]
Enjolras
The people have not stirred
We are abandoned by those who still live in fear.
The people have not heard.
Yet will will not abandon those who cannot hear.
Let us not waste lives
Let all the women and fathers of children
Go from here.
Feuilly
Drink with me to days gone by
Sing with me the songs we knew
At the shrine of friendship
Raise your glass high
Let the wine of friendship
Never run dry
If I die
I die with you!
THE SECOND ATTACK (The Death of Gavroche)
[The battle recommences.]
Enjolras
How do we stand, Feuilly?
Make your report.
Feuilly
We've guns enough
But ammunition short
Marius
Let me go into the streets
There are bodies all around
Ammunition to be had
Lots of bullets to be found!
Enjolras
I won't let you go
It's too much of a chance.
Marius
The same is true
For any man here!
Valjean
Let me go
He's no more than a boy
I am old
I have nothing to fear
Gavroche
You need somebody quicker
And I volunteer!
[Gavroche climbs the barricade.]
Lesgles
Come back Gavroche, don't you dare!
Joly
Someone pull him down at once!
Gavroche
Look at me, I'm almost there!
[A shot rings out from beyond the barricade. Gavroche
is hit.]
Gavroche
Little people know, when
Little people fight, we
[Another shot is fired.]
May look easy pickings
But we've got some bite!
[He is hit again.]
So never kick a dog
Because he's just a pup
We'll fight like twenty armies
And we won't give up
So you'd better run for cover
When the pup grows......
Thenardier
Ain't it a laugh?
Ain't it a treat?
Hob-nobbin' here
Among the elite?
Here comes a prince
There goes a Jew.
This one's a queer
But what can you do?
Paris at my feet
Paris in the dust
And here I'm breaking bread
With the upper crust!
Beggar at the feast!
Master of the dance!
Life is easy pickings
If you grab your chance.
Everywhere you go
Law-abiding folk
Doing what is decent
But they're mostly broke!
Singing to the Lord on Sundays
Praying for the gifts He'll send.
M. and Mme. Thenardier
But we're the ones who take it
We're the ones who make it in the end!
Watch the buggers dance
Watch 'em till they drop
Keep your wits about you
And you stand on top!
Masters of the land
Always get our share
Clear away the barricades
And we're still there!
We know where the wind is blowing
Money is the stuff we smell
And when we're rich as Croesus
Jesus! Won't we see you all in hell!
[Valjean is alone in the shadows, with a bare wooden
cross for company.]
Valjean
Alone I wait in the shadows
I count the hours till I can sleep
I dreamed a dream Cosette stood by
It made her weep to know I die.
Alone at the end of the day
Upon this wedding night I pray
Take these children, my Lord, to thy embrace
And show them grace.
God on high
Hear my prayer
Take me now
To thy care
Where You are
Let me be
Take me now
Take me there
Bring me home
Bring me home.
[Fantine's spirit appears to Valjean.]
Fantine Valjean (interjecting)
M'sieur, I bless your name I am ready, Fantine
M'sieur, lay down your burden At the end of my days
You raised my child in love She's the best of my life.
And you will be with god.
[Marius and Cosette rush into the room, but they do not
see Fantine.]
Cosette
Papa, papa, I do not understand!
Are you alright? They said you'd gone away.
Valjean
Cosette, my child, am I forgiven now?
Thank God, thank God, I've lived to see this day.
Marius
It's you who must forgive a thoughtless fool
It's you who must forgive a thankless man
It's thanks to you that I am living
And again I lay down my life at your feet.
Cosette, your father is a saint.
When they wounded me
He took me from the barricade
Carried like a babe
And brought me home to you!
Valjean (to Cosette)
Now you are here
Again beside me
Now I can die in peace
For now my life is blessed
Cosette
You will live, Papa, you're going to live
It's too soon, too soon to say goodbye.
Valjean
Yes, Cosette, forbid me now to die
I'll obey
I will try
On this page
I write my last confession
Read it well
When I at last am sleeping.
It's a story
Of those who always loved you
Your mother gave her life for you
Then gave you to my keeping.
[The other spirits appear.]
Fantine
Come with me
Where chains will never bind you
All your grief
At last, at last behind you.
Lord in Heaven
Look down on him in mercy.
Valjean
Forgive me all my trespasses
And take me to your glory.
Valjean, Fantine, and Eponine
Take my hand
And lead me to salvation
Take my love
For love is everlasting.
And remember
The truth that once was spoken
To love another person
[Fantine is left alone, unemployed and destitute.]
Fantine
There was a time when men were kind
When their voices were soft
And their words inviting
There was a time when love was blind
And the world was a song
And the song was exciting
There was a time
Then it all went wrong
I dreamed a dream in times gone by
When hope was high
And life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgiving
Then I was young and unafraid
And dreams were made and used and wasted
There was no ransom to be paid
No song unsung
No wine untasted
But the tigers come at night
With their voices soft as thunder
As they tear your hope apart
And they turn your dream to shame
He slept a summer by my side
He filled my days with endless wonder
He took my childhood in his stride
But he was gone when autumn came
And still I dream he'll come to me
That we'll live the years together
But there are dreams that cannot be
And there are storms we cannot weather
I had a dream my life would be
So different from this hell I'm living
So different now from what it seemed
COSETTE
Every day
You walk with stronger step
You walk with longer step-
`The worst is over.'
MARIUS
Every day
I wonder every day
Who was it brought me here
From the barricade?
COSETTE
Don't think about it, Marius!
With all the years ahead of us!
I will never go away
And we will be together
Every day.
Every day,
We'll remember that night
And the vow that we made:
A heart full of love
A night full of you
The words are old
But always true.
Oh, God, for shame
You did not even know my name!
MARIUS
Dear Mad'moiselle
I was lost in your spell.
(Valjean enters, unnoticed)
COSETTE
A heart full of love
No fear no regret
`My name is Marius Pontmercy'
MARIUS
Cosette, Cosette!
COSETTE
I saw you waiting and I knew.
MARIUS
Waiting for you
At your feet
COSETTE
At your call
BOTH
And it wasn't a dream
Not a dream after all
VALJEAN(interjecting, to himself)
She was never mine to keep.
She is youthful, she is free.
Love is the garden of the young
Let it be... let it be...
A heart full of love
This I give you on this day.
(They notice Valjean)
MARIUS
M'sieur, this is a day
I can never forget.
Is gratitude enough
For giving me Cosette?
Your home shall be with us
And not a day shall pass
But we will prove our love
To you, whom we shall call
A father to us both
VALJEAN:
Now you are here
again beside me
now i can die in peace
for now my life is blessed
COSSETTE:
you will live, papa
you're going to live
it's too soon to ever say goodbye
VALJEAN:
yes, cossette
forbid me now to die
i'll obey
i will try
on this page
i write my last confession
read it well
when i at last am sleeping
it's a story of those who always loved you
your mother gave her life for you and gave you to my keeping
FANTINE:
come with me
where chains will never bind you
all your grief
at last, at last behind you
lord in heaven;
look down on him in mercy
VALJEAN:
forgive me all my trespases and take me to your glory
FANTINE, VALJEAN AND EPONINE:
take my hand
and lead me to salvation
take my love
for love is everlasting
and remember
the truth that once was spoken:
to love another person is to see the face of god
ALL:
do you hear the people sing?
lost in the valley of the night
it is the music of a people who are climbing to the light
for the wretched of the earth
there is a flame that never dies
even the darkest nights will end and the sun will rise
they will live again in freedom in the garden of the lord
they will walk behind the bloodshed
they will put away the sword
the chain will be broken and all men will have their reward!
will you join in our crusade?
who will be strong and stand with me?
somewhere beyond the barricade is there a world you long to see?
do you hear the people sing?
say, do you hear the distant drums?
it is the future that they bring when tomorrow comes!
REPEAT
Aaaaah, aaaaah, aaaah,
(Marius and Cosette lead a wedding procession.)
Chorus
Ring out the bells upon this day of days!
May all the angels of the Lord above
In jubilation sing their songs of praise!
And crown this blessed time with peace and love.
(The procession becomes a dancing celebration. A waltz is played.)
Major Domo
The Baron and Baroness de Thenard wish to pay their
respects to the groom!
Thenardier
I forget where we met
Was it not at the Chateau Lafarge
Where the duke did that puke
Down the Duchess's de-coll-etage?
Marius
No, 'Baron de Thenard'
The circles I move in are humbler by far.
Go away, Thenardier!
Do you think I don't know who you are?
Mme. Thenardier
He's not fooled, told you so.
Show M'sieur what you've come here to show.
Tell the boy what you know!
(Applause from the dancers as the waltz finishes.)
Marius
When I look at you, I remember Eponine
She was more than you deserved, who gave her birth
But now she is with God and happier, I hope
Than here on earth!
(The waltz starts up again.)
Thenardier
So it goes, heaven knows
Life has dealt me some terrible blows.
Mme. Thenardier
You've got cash and a heart
You could give us a bit of a start
We can prove, plain as ink
Your bride's father is not what you think.
Thenardier
There's a tale I could tell
Mme. Thenardier
Information we're willing to sell.
Thenardier
There's a man that he slew
I saw the corpse clear as I'm seeing you!
What I tell you is true!
Mme. Thenardier
Pity to disturb you at a feast like this
But five hundred francs surely wouldn't come amiss.
Marius
In God's name say what you have to say.
Thenardier
But first you pay!
What I saw, clear as light
Jean Valjean in the sewers that night
Had this corpse on his back
Hanging there like a great bloody sack.
I was there, never fear
Even found me this fine souvenir!
(Thenardier shows Marius a ring.)
Marius
I know this! This was mine!
Surely this is some heavenly sign!
Thenardier
One more thing, mark this well
It was the night the barricades fell.
Marius
Then it's true, then I'm right
Jean Valjean was my savior that night!
(Marius hits Thenardier and then throws money at him.)
As for you, take this too!
God forgive the things that we do.
Come my love, come Cosette
This day's blessings are not over yet!
Cosette
I saw him once
Then he was gone
We were like dreamers at night
Who meet as in a trace, then part again!
Two phantoms in the shadows of the moon
Can people really fall in love so soon?
He walked alone
He seemed alone like me
Could he have known
That moment was my destiny?
I had to run away,
And it was like a dream
I saw him once
The dream was true
I saw him once,
Army Officer [from beyond the barricade]
You at the barricade listen to this
The people of Paris sleep in their beds
You have no chance
No chance at all
Why throw your lives away?
Enjolras
Let us die facing our foes
Make them bleed while we can
Combeferre
Make 'em pay through the nose
Courfeyrac
Make 'em pay for every man!
Enjolras
Let others rise
To take our place
Until the earth is free!
(The battle recommences)
ENJOLRAS
How do we stand, Feuilly? Make your report.
FEUILLY
We've guns enough, but ammunition's short
MARIUS
Let me go into the streets
There are bodies all around
Ammunition to be had
Lots of bullets to be found!
ENJOLRAS
I won't let you go, it's too much of a chance!
MARIUS
The same is true for any man here!
VALJEAN
Let me go. He's no more than a boy.
I am old, I have nothing to fear.
GAVROCHE
You need somebody quicker and I volunteer!
(Gavroche climbs the barricade)
LESGLES
Come back Gavroche, don't you dare!
JOLY
Someone pull him down at once!
GAVROCHE
Look at me, I'm almost there!
(Gunshot)
GAVROCHE
Little people know, when
Little people fight, we
(Gunshot Gavroche is wounded.)
May look easy pickings
But we've got some bite!
(He is hit again.)
So never kick a dog
Because he's just a pup
We'll fight like twenty armies
And we won't give up
So you'd better run for cover
When the pup grows...
Valjean
What have I done?
Sweet Jesus, what have I done?
Become a thief in the night
Become a dog on the run
And have I fallen so far
And is the hour so late
That nothing remains but the cry of my hate,
The cries in the dark that nobody hears,
Here where I stand at the turning of the years?
If there's another way to go
I missed it twenty long years ago
My life was a war that could never be won
They gave me a number and murdered Valjean
When they chained me and left me for dead
Just for stealing a mouthful of bread
Yet why did I allow that man
To touch my soul and teach me love?
He treated me like any other
He gave me his trust
He called me brother
My life he claims for God above
Can such things be?
For I had come to hate this world
This world which had always hated me
Take an eye for an eye!
Turn your heart into stone!
This is all I have lived for!
This is all I have known!
One word from him and I'd be back
Beneath the lash, upon the rack
Instead he offers me my freedom,
I feel my shame inside me like a knife
He told me that I have a soul,
How does he know?
What spirit came to move my life?
Is there another way to go?
I am reaching, but I fall
And the night is closing in
And I stare into the void
To the whirlpool of my sin
I'll escape now from the world
From the world of Jean Valjean
Jean Valjean is nothing now
Another story must begin!
Cosette, it's turned so cold
Cosette, it's past your bedtime
You've played the day away
And soon it will be night.
Come to me, Cosette, the light is fading
Don't you see the evening star appearing?
Come to me, and rest against my shoulder
How fast the minutes fly away and every minute colder.
Hurry near, another day is dying
Don't you hear, the winter wind is crying?
There's a darkness which comes without a warning
But I will sing you lullabies and wake you in the morning.
Oh, Fantine, our time is running out
But Fantine, I swear this on my life
Look, M'sieur, where all the children play
Be at peace, be at peace evermore.
My Cosette...
Shall live in my protection
Take her now
Your child will want for nothing
Good M'sieur, you come from God in Heaven.
And none will ever harm Cosette
As long as I am living.
Take my hand,
The night grows ever colder.
Then I will keep you warm.
Take my child, I give her to your keeping.
Take shelter from the storm
For God's sake, please stay till I am sleeping
And tell Cosette I love her
