Prologue - WORK SONG
[1815, Toulon, France. The chain gang, overseen by brutal warders, works in the sun]
Prisoners Look down, look down
Don't look 'em in the eye Look down, look down,
You're here until you die
The sun is strong
It's hot as hell below
Look down, look down,
There's twenty years to go
I've done no wrong!
Sweet Jesus hear my prayer!
Look down, look down,
Sweet Jesus doesn't care
I know she'll wait,
I know that she'll be true!
Look down, look down,
They've all forgotten you
When I get free
ya won't see me
Here for dust!
Look down, look down
Don't look 'em in the eye
How long O Lord
Before you let me die?
Look down, look down,
You'll always be a slave
Look down, look down,
You're standing in your grave
[Javert enters and the prisoners make a clearing for him, he's holding a book, which he opens up and reads from]
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!
Follow to the letter your itinerary
This badge of shame you'll show until you die
It warns you're a dangerous man
Valjean I stole a loaf of bread!
My sister's child was close to death
And we were starving!
Javert And you will starve again
Unless you learn the meaning of the law.
Valjean I know the meaning of these 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
Chorus Look down, look down
You will always be a slave
Look down, look down
You're walkind towards your grave.
Valjean Freedom is mine.
The earth is still.
I feel the wind.
I breathe again.
And the sky clears, the world is waiting.
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've 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?
[He approaches the man, but a police officer stops him, and tosses him to the floor]
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.]
Innkeeper'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.]
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 my 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 for long
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's 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!
[Taking the silver cup, he runs off, but is brought back by two constables.]
VALJEAN ARRESTED/VALJEAN FORGIVEN
Constables Tell his reverence your story
Let us see if he's impressed
You were lodging there last night
You were the honest Bishop's guest.
And then, out of Christian goodness
When he learned about your plight
You maintain he made a present of this silver-
Bishop That is right.
But my friend you left so early
Surely something slipped your mind
[The bishop gives Valjean two silver candlesticks.]
You forgot I gave these also
Would you leave the best behind?
So Messieurs you may release him
For this man has spoken true
I commend you for your duty
May God's blessing go with you.
But remember this, my brother
See in this some higher plan
You must use this precious silver
To become an honest man
By the witness of the martyrs
By the Passion and the Blood
God has raised you out of darkness
I have bought your soul for God!
[Valjean holds the candlesticks, and cries out to the Bishop as he leaves, to no avail]
WHAT HAVE I DONE (Valjean's Soliloquy)
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!
[He tears up his yellow ticket-of-leave.]
AT THE END OF THE DAY
[1823, Montreuil-sur-Mer. Outside the factory, owned by the Mayor, Monsieur Madeleine (Valjean in disguise).]
The Poor At the end of the day you're another day older
And that's all you can say for the life of the poor
It's a struggle, it's a war And there's nothing that anyone's giving
One more day, standing about, what is it for?
One day less to be living.
At the end of the day you're another day colder
And the shirt on your back doesn't keep out the chill
And the righteous hurry past
They don't hear the little ones crying
And the winder is coming on fast, ready to kill
One day nearer to dying!
At the end of the day there's another day dawning
And the sun in the morning is waiting to rise
Like the waves crash on the sand
Like a storm that'll break any second
There's a hunger in the land
There's a reckoning still to be reckoned
And there's gonna be hell to pay
At the end of the day!
[The foreman and workers, including Fantine, emerge.]
Foreman At the end of the day you get nothing for nothing
Sitting flat on your butt doesn't buy any bread
Workers There are children back at home
And the children have got to be fed
And you're lucky to be in a job
And in a bed!
And we're counting our blessings!
Women Have you seen how the foreman is fuming today?
With his terrible breath and his wandering hands?
It's because little Fantine won't give him his way
Take a look at his trousers, you'll see where he stands!
Workers At the end of the day it's another day over
With enough in your pocket to last for a week
Pay the landlord pay the shop
Keep on grafting as long as you're able
Keep on grafting till you drop
Or it's back to the crumbs on the table
You've got to pay your way
At the end of the day!
Girl What have we here, little innocent sister?
Come on Fantine, let's have all the news!
[She grabs the letter from Fantine.]
"Dear Fantine you must send us more money...
Your child needs a doctor...
There's no time to lose!"
Fantine Give that letter to me
It is none of your business
With a husband at home
And a bit on the side
Is there anyone here
Who can swear before God
She has nothing to fear?
She has nothing to hide?
[They fight over the letter. Valjean rushes over to break up the squabble.]
Valjean (as M. Madeleine) What is this fighting all about?
Will someone tear these two apart?
This is a factory, not a circus!
Now come on ladies, settle down
I run a business of repute
I am the Mayor of this town
[To the foreman...]
I look to you to sort this out
And be as patient as you can.
[He goes back into the factory.]
Foreman Now someone say how this began!
Girl At the end of the day she's the one who began it
There's a kid that she's hiding in some little town
There's a man she has to pay
You can guess how she picks up the extra
You can bet she's earning her keep sleeping around
And the boss wouldn't like it!
Fantine Yes it's true there's a child
And the child is my daughter
And her father abandoned us leaving us flat
Now she lives with an innkeeper man and his wife
And I pay for the child What's the matter with that?
Foreman I might have known the bitch could bite
I might have known the cat had claws
I might have guessed your little secret
Ah, yes, the virtuous Fantine
Who keeps herself so pure and clean
You'd be the cause I had no doubt
Of any trouble hereabout
You play a virgin in the light
But need no urgin' in the night.
[Fantine slaps him]
Girl She's been laughing at you While she's having her men
Women She'll be nothing but trouble again and again
Workers You must sack her today
Sack the girl today!
Foreman Right my girl! On your way...
[He tosses Fantine out. She runs off, crying]
LOVELY LADIES
[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!
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?
Whores (in counterpoint) 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?
[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!
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 shame that's in your head
Don't they know they're making love
To one already dead!
I DREAMED A DREAM
[Fantine has sex with the captain, and he leaves her]
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 much different from this hell
I'm living
So different now from what it seemed
Now life has killed the dream
I dreamed.
FANTINE'S ARREST
[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!
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 Is it true, what I have done?
To an innocent soul?
Had I only known then...
Fantine (in counterpoint) My daughter's close to dying
If there's a God above
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 Look out! It's a runaway cart!
THE RUNAWAY CART
[The crowd parts to reveal that the cart has crashed, trapping M. Fauchelevant.]
[spoken]
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.. T
here is nothing to do..
Valjean Is there anyone here who will rescue this man?
Who will help me to shoulder the weight of the cart? Anyone at all? Damn it!
Voices Don't go near him, Mr. Mayor
The load is heavy as hell
That man is as good as gone, the weight will kill you!
[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.
Valjean
Prologue - WORK SONG
[1815, Toulon, France. The chain gang, overseen by brutal warders, works in the sun.
Prisoners Look down, look down
Don't look 'em in the eye Look down, look down,
You're here until you die
The sun is strong
It's hot as hell below
Look down, look down,
There's twenty years to go
I've done no wrong!
Sweet Jesus hear my prayer!
Look down, look down,
Sweet Jesus doesn't care I know she'll wait,
I know that she'll be true!
Look down, look down,
They've all forgotten you
When I get free ya won't see me
Here for dust!
Look down, look down
Don't look 'em in the eye
How long O Lord
Before you let me die?
Look down, look down,
You'll always be a slave
Look down, look down,
You're standing in your grave
[Javert enters and the prisoners make a clearing for him, he's holding a book, which he opens up and reads from]
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 And you will starve again
Unless you learn the meaning of the law.
Valjean I know the meaning of these 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
Chorus Look down, look down
You will always be a slave
Look down, look down
You're walkind towards your grave.
Valjean Freedom is mine.
The earth is still.
I feel the wind.
I breathe again.
And the sky clears, the world is waiting.
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've 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.]
Innkeeper'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.]
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 my 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 for long
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's 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!
[Taking the silver cup, he runs off, but is brought back by two constables.]
VALJEAN ARRESTED/VALJEAN FORGIVEN
Constables Tell his reverence your story
Let us see if he's impressed
You were lodging there last night
You were the honest Bishop's guest.
And then, out of Christian goodness
When he learned about your plight Y
ou maintain he made a present of this silver-
Bishop That is right.
But my friend you left so early
Surely something slipped your mind
[The bishop gives Valjean two silver candlesticks.]
You forgot I gave these also
Would you leave the best behind?
So Messieurs you may release him
For this man has spoken true
I commend you for your duty
May God's blessing go with you.
But remember this, my brother
See in this some higher plan
You must use this precious silver
To become an honest man
By the witness of the martyrs
By the Passion and the Blood
God has raised you out of darkness
I have bought your soul for God!
WHAT HAVE I DONE (Valjean's Soliloquy)
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!
[He tears up his yellow ticket-of-leave.]
AT THE END OF THE DAY
[1823, Montreuil-sur-Mer. Outside the factory, owned by the Mayor, Monsieur Madeleine (Valjean in disguise).]
The Poor At the end of the day you're another day older
And that's all you can say for the life of the poor
It's a struggle, it's a war And there's nothing that anyone's giving
One more day, standing about, what is it for?
One day less to be living.
At the end of the day you're another day colder
And the shirt on your back doesn't keep out the chill
And the righteous hurry past
They don't hear the little ones crying
And the winder is coming on fast, ready to kill
One day nearer to dying!
At the end of the day there's another day dawning
And the sun in the morning is waiting to rise
Like the waves crash on the sand
Like a storm that'll break any second
There's a hunger in the land
There's a reckoning still to be reckoned
And there's gonna be hell to pay
At the end of the day!
[The foreman and workers, including Fantine, emerge.]
Foreman At the end of the day you get nothing for nothing
Sitting flat on your butt doesn't buy any bread
Workers There are children back at home
And the children have got to be fed
And you're lucky to be in a job
And in a bed!
And we're counting our blessings!
Women Have you seen how the foreman is fuming today?
With his terrible breath and his wandering hands?
It's because little Fantine won't give him his way
Take a look at his trousers, you'll see where he stands!
Workers At the end of the day it's another day over
With enough in your pocket to last for a week
Pay the landlord pay the shop
Keep on grafting as long as you're able
Keep on grafting till you drop
Or it's back to the crumbs on the table
You've got to pay your way
At the end of the day!
Girl What have we here, little innocent sister?
Come on Fantine, let's have all the news!
[She grabs the letter from Fantine.]
"Dear Fantine you must send us more money...
Your child needs a doctor...
There's no time to lose!"
Fantine Give that letter to me
It is none of your business
With a husband at home
And a bit on the side
Is there anyone here
Who can swear before God
She has nothing to fear?
She has nothing to hide?
[They fight over the letter. Valjean rushes over to break up the squabble.]
Valjean (as M. Madeleine) What is this fighting all about?
Will someone tear these two apart?
This is a factory, not a circus!
Now come on ladies, settle down
I run a business of repute
I am the Mayor of this town
[To the foreman...]
I look to you to sort this out
And be as patient as you can.
[He goes back into the factory.]
Foreman Now someone say how this began!
Girl At the end of the day she's the one who began it
There's a kid that she's hiding in some little town
There's a man she has to pay
You can guess how she picks up the extra
You can bet she's earning her keep sleeping around
And the boss wouldn't like it!
Fantine Yes it's true there's a child
And the child is my daughter
And her father abandoned us leaving us flat
Now she lives with an innkeeper man and his wife
And I pay for the child What's the matter with that?
Foreman I might have known the bitch could bite
I might have known the cat had claws
I might have guessed your little secret
Ah, yes, the virtuous Fantine
Who keeps herself so pure and clean
You'd be the cause I had no doubt
Of any trouble hereabout
You play a virgin in the light
But need no urgin' in the night.
[Fantine slaps him]
Girl She's been laughing at you While she's having her men
Women She'll be nothing but trouble again and again
Workers You must sack her today
Sack the girl today!
Foreman Right my girl! On your way...
LOVELY LADIES
[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!
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?
Whores (in counterpoint) 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?
[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!
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 shame that's in your head Don't they know they're making love To one already dead!
I DREAMED A DREAM
[Fantine has sex with the captain, and he leaves her]
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 much different from this hell
I'm living
So different now from what it seemed
Now life has killed the dream
I dreamed.
FANTINE'S ARREST
[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!
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 Is it true, what I have done?
To an innocent soul?
Had I only known then...
Fantine (in counterpoint) My daughter's close to dying
If there's a God above
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 Look out! It's a runaway cart!
THE RUNAWAY CART
[The crowd parts to reveal that the cart has crashed, trapping M. Fauchelevant.]
[spoken]
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.
Valjean Yes, yes
[Javert takes Valjean aside.]
[Sung]
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.
[Javert leaves, Valjean is alone.]
WHO AM I? (The Trial)
Valjean He thinks that man is me!
He knew him at a glance!
That stranger he has found
This man could be my chance
Why should I save his hide
Why should I right this wrong
When I have come so far
And struggled for so long?
If I speak, I am condemned
If I stay silent, I am damned!
I am the master of hundreds of workers
They all look to me
How can I abandon them, how can they live If I am not free?
If I speak, I am condemned If I stay silent, I am damned!
Who am I?
Can I condemn this man to slavery
Pretend I do not see his agony
This innocent who bears my face
Who goes to judgement in my place
Who am I?
Can I conceal myself for evermore?
Pretend I'm not the man I was before?
And must my name until I die
Be no more than an alibi?
Must I lie?
How can I ever face my fellow man?
How can I ever face myself again?
My soul belongs to God,
I know I made that bargain long ago
He gave me hope, when hope was gone
He gave me strength to journey on
[He steps in front of the court]
Who am I?
Who am I?
I am Jean Valjean!
[He unbuttons his shirt to reveal the number tattooed to his chest.]
And so Javert,
you see it's true,
That man bears no more guilt than you!
Who am I?
24601!
[The Judge stands up, puzzled]
Judge [spoken] Monsieur L'Maire, you're not feeling well
Valjean No! If you shall need me, I shall be back at the town, tending to Fantine!
[Javert grabs him]
Javert Not today, Valjean
[Valjean pulls away]
Valjean Not yet, Javert. But you'll know where I am when the time is right
[He leave to return to Fantine]
COME TO ME (Fantine's Death)
[Fantine is lying in a hospital bed, deleriously dreaming of her daughter Cosette.]
Fantine 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 lullabyes and wake you in the morning.
[Valjean enters.]
Valjean Oh, Fantine, our time is running out
But Fantine, I swear this on my life
Fantine Look, M'sieur, where all the children play
Valjean Be at peace, be at peace evermore.
Fantine My Cosette...
Valjean Shall live in my protection
Fantine Take her now
Valjean Your child will want for nothing
Fantine Good M'sieur, you come from God in Heaven.
Valjean And none will ever harm Cosette
As long as I am living.
Fantine Take my hand,
The night grows ever colder.
Valjean Then I will keep you warm.
Fantine Take my child,
I give her to your keeping.
Valjean Take shelter from the storm
Fantine For God's sake, please stay till I am sleeping
And tell Cosette I love her
And I'll see her when I wake...
[She dies with a smile; Javert arrives.]
THE CONFRONTATION
Javert Valjean, at last,
We see each other plain
`M'sieur le Mayor',
You'll wear a different chain.
Valjean Before you say another word,
Javert Before you chain me up like a slave again
Listen to me!
There is something I must do.
This woman leaves behind a suffering child.
There is none but me who can intercede,
In Mercy's name, three days are all I need.
Then I'll return, I pledge my word. Then I'll return...
Javert You must think me mad!
I've hunted you across the years
A man like you can never change
A man... such as you...
Valjean (in counterpoint) Believe of me what you will
There is a duty that I'm sworn to do
You know nothing of my life
All I did was steal some bread
You know nothing of the world
You would rather see me dead
But not before I see this justice done
I am warning you Javert
I'm a stronger man by far
There is power in me yet
My race is not yet run I am warning you Javert
There is nothing I won't dare
If I have to kill you here
I'll do what must be done!
Javert (in counterpoint) Men like me can never change
Men like you can never change
No, 24601,
My duty's to the law
You have no rights
Come with me 24601
Now the wheel has turned around
Jean Valjean is nothing now
Dare you talk to me of crime
And the price you had to pay
Every man is born in sin
Every man must choose his way
You know nothing of Javert
I was born inside a jail
I was born with scum like you
I am from the gutter too!
[Valjean breaks chair,They fight, Javert is knocked out]
Javert And this I swear to you tonight
There is no place for you to hide
Wherever you may hide away
I swear to you, I will be there!
CASTLE ON A CLOUD
[Young Cosette is working as a drudge in the Thenardier's inn at Montfermeil.]
Young Cosette There is a castle on a cloud,
I like to go there in my sleep,
Aren't any floors for me to sweep,
Not in my castle on a cloud.
There is a lady all in white,
Holds me and sings a lullabye,
She's nice to hear and she's soft to touch,
She says "Cosette, 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 my castle on a cloud.
Mme. Thenardier Now look who's here
The little madam herself!
Pretending once again she's been `so awfully good',
Better not let me catch you slacking
Better not catch my eye!
Ten rotten francs your mother sends me
What is that going to buy?
Now take that pail
My little `Mademoiselle'
And go and draw some water from the well!
We should never have taken you in in the first place
How stupid, the things that we do!
Like mother like daughter, the scum of the street. E
ponine, come my dear, Eponine, let me see you Y
ou look very well in that new little blue hat
There's some little girls who know how to behave
And they know what to wear
And I'm saying thank heaven for that.
Still there Cosette?
Your tears will do you no good.
I told you fetch some water from the well in the wood...
Young Cosette Please do not send me out alone
Not in the darkness on my own!
Mme. Thenardier Enough of that, or I'll forget to be nice!
You heard me ask for something,
And I never ask twice!
[Young Eponine pushes Cosette out. Thenardier says good night to his daughter as the inn fills up for the evening.]
MASTER OF THE HOUSE
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
Then fly through my doors
And their money's as good as yours
[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 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 & Drinkers 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...]
Enter M'sieur Lay down your load
Unlace your boots
And rest from the road
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 & Chorus Master of the house
Quick to catch yer eye
Never wants a passerby
To pass him by
Servent 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
Landing me with such a louse
God knows how I've lasted
Living with this bastard in the house!
Thenardier & Drinkers Master of the house!
Mme. Thenardier Master and a half!
Thenardier & Drinkers Comforter, philosopher
Mme. Thenardier Ah, don't make me laugh!
Thenardier & Drinkers Servant to the poor
Butler to the great
Mme. Thenardier Hypocrite and toady
And inebriate!
Thenardier & Drinkers 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!
THE BARGAIN
[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 Cosette shall have a father now!
THE WALTZ OF TREACHERY
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 Corvette!
Mme. Thenardier [Whispering] Cosette!
Thenardier 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
There's a castle just waiting for you...
[He picks her up, and she falls asleep in his arms]
SUDDENLY
Valjean Suddenly I see
Suddenly it starts
When two anxious hearts
Beat as one.
Yesterday I was alone
Today you walk beside me
Something still unclear
Something not yet here
Has begun.
Suddenly the world
Seems a different place
Somehow full of grace
And delight.
How was I to know
That so much love
Was held inside me?
Something fresh and young
Something still unsung
Fills the night.
How was I to know at last
That happiness can come so fast?
Trusting me the way you do
I'm so afraid of failing you
Just a child who cannot know
That danger follows where I go
There are shadows everywhere
And memories I cannot share
Nevermore alone Nevermore apart
You have warmed my heart
Like the sun.
You have brought the gift of life
And love so long denied me.
Suddenly I see
What I could not see
Something suddenly
Has begun.
[Javert runs up to the inn]
Mme. Thenardier whispers to M. Thernadier]
Mme. Thenardier What've you done now? There's a copper at the door!
[She looks as Javert now, smiling]
Javert Where's the child? Where is Cosette?
Mme. Thenardier Went off with a gent, didn't tell us where they went
M. Thenardier Didn't leave 'is home address
STARS
Javert There, out in the darkness
A fugitive running
Fallen from God
Fallen from grace
God be my witness I never shall yield
Till we come face to face Till we come face to face
He knows his way in the dark But mine is the way of the Lord
And those who follow the path of the righteous Shall have their reward
And if they fall As Lucifer fell The flame The sword!
Stars In your multitudes
Scarce to be counted
Filling the darkness
With order and light
You are the sentinels Silent and sure
Keeping watch in the night Keeping watch in the night
You know your place in the sky You hold your course and your aim
And each in your season Returns and returns And is always the same
And if you fall as Lucifer fell You fall in flame!
And so it has been And so it is written
On the doorway to paradise
That those who falter and those who fall
Must pay the price!
Lord let me find him
That I may see him
Safe behind bars I will never rest
Till then,
this I swear This I swear by the stars!
LOOK DOWN
[1832. The teeming, squalid streets of Paris. Beggars, urchins, prostitutes, students, etc.]
Beggars Look down, 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 streets
Look down, look down,
Upon your fellow man!
Gavroche How 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 cuss?
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 patch.]
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 is 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,
look down,
and show some mercy if you can
Look down,
look down,
upon your fellow man!
THE ROBBERY
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 ConEd!
Mme. Thenardier [Spoken] It's Cosette you fool!
Thenardier whatever!
[Thenardier grabs Valjean and rips open his shirt, revealing the number on his chest.]
[Sung]
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!
Run for it!
It's Javert!
JAVERT'S INTERVENTION
[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
Clear this garbage off the street!
UNDER THE STARS
Javert:
Black, blacker than the night
Is this man who flees
Under the stars
Under the stars
God be my witness
I will not weaken
As long as he is not
Kneeling before me
He follows the way of the Devil
And I, in the name of the Lord
I make to resplendor order in full azure
In full light
For those who darken with Lucifer
The flames, hell!
Pure, in their multitude
Reign the stars
Soldiers of shadow
Posted in space
You are the sentinels
Who watch us
And who guard the sky
And who guard the sky
Each her place in the night
Each her path in silence
That nothing can make deviate from her goal
From her vigilance
For those who damn themselves with Lucifer
The flames, hell!
These words are inscribed
In eternal ink
On the doors to paradise
And those who lose their way
And those who sway
Will pay the price
O God of justice
Show me the way
And for your glory
I will plant myself
As your sword, I swear it
I swear it to the stars!
EPONINE'S ERRAND
[Eponine is alone in the square.]
Eponine Cosette! Now I remember! Cosette!
How can it be?
We were children together
Look what's become of me...
[Marius returns.]
Good God!
Oh, what a rumpus!
Marius That girl, who can she be?
Eponine That cop!
He'd like to jump us
But he ain't smart, not he.
Marius Eponine, who was that girl?
Eponine Some bourgeois two-a-penny thing!
Marius Eponine, find her for me!
Eponine What will you give me?
Marius Anything!
Eponine Got you all excited now,
But God knows what you see in her
Ain't you all delighted now
[She refuses Marius' money.]
No, I don't want your money sir...
Marius Eponine, do this for me...
Discover where she lives
Be careful how you go
Don't let her father know...
'Ponine! I'm lost until she's found!
Eponine You see, I told you so!
There's lots of things I know...
[Marius leaves.]
'Ponine... she knows her way around...
RED AND BLACK (The ABC Cafe)
[The ABC Cafe, where the students, led by Enjolras, meet to discuss their revolutionary plans.]
Combeferre At Notre Dame The sections are prepared!
Feuilly At rue de Bac They're straining at the leash!
Courfeyrac Students, workers, everyone
There's a river on the run
Like the flowing of the tide Paris coming to our side!
Enjolras The time is near...
So near.. it's stirring the blood in their veins!
And yet beware... Don't let the wine go to your brains!
For the army we fight is a dangerous foe
With the men and the arms that we never can match
Oh, it's easy to sit here and swat 'em like flies
But the national guard will be harder to catch.
We need a sign
To rally the people
To call them to arms
To bring them in line!
[Spoken]
Where is that boy?
Grantaire I haven't seen him all day!
Enjolras Late, he is always late! I'll be damned if I let it happen again!
Grantaire Oh c'mon! Loosen up a bit! Have a drink!
Enjolras For God's sake Grantaire, put the god damn bottle down
Grantaire But alas, I shall not!
[He takes a drink, to Enjolras' disgust]
[Marius enters.]
Enjolras Marius, you're late.
[Sung]
Joly Marius,what's wrong today?
You look as if you've seen a ghost.
Grantaire Some wine and say what's going on!
Marius A ghost you say... a ghost maybe
She was just like a ghost to me
One minute there, and she was gone!
Grantaire I am agog!
I am aghast!
Is Marius in love at last?
I have never heard him `ooh' and `aah'
You talk of battles to be won
But here he comes like Don Ju-an
It's better than an o-per-a!
Enjolras It is time for us all To decide who we are...
Do we fight for the right
To a night at the opera now?
Have you asked of yourselves
What's the price you might pay?
Is it simply a game
For rich young boys to play?
The color of the world is changing
Day by day...
Red - the blood of angry men!
Black - the dark of ages past!
Red - a world about to dawn!
Black - the night that ends at last!
Marius Had you been there tonight
You might know how it feels
To be struck to the bone
In a moment of breathless delight!
Had you been there tonight
You might also have known
How the world may be changed
In just one burst of light!
And what was right Seems wrong
And what was wrong Seems right...
Grantaire [mocking...] Red...
Marius I feel my soul on fire!
Grantaire Black...
Marius My world if she's not there...
All Red...
Marius The color of desire!
All Black...
Marius The color of despair!
Enjolras Marius,
you're no longer a child
I do not doubt you mean it well
But now there is a higher call
Who cares about your lonely soul
We strive toward a larger goal
Our little lives don't count at all!
All Red - the blood of angry men!
Black - the dark of ages past!
Red - a world about to dawn!
Black - the night that ends at last!
[Spoken]
Enjolras Well, Courfeyrac, do we have all the guns? Feuilly, Combeferre, our time is running short. Grantaire, put the bottle down! Do we have the guns we need?
Grantaire [drunk] Give me brandy on my breath And I'll breath 'em all to death!
Courfeyrac In St. Antoine they're with us to a man!
Combeferre In Notre Dame they're tearing up the stones!
Feuilly Twenty rifles good as new.
[Gavroche rushes in, shouting.]
Gavroche Listen!
Jean Prouvaire Double that in Port St. Cloud!
Gavroche Listen everybody!
Lesgles Seven guns in St. Martin!
Gavroche General Lamarque Is dead!
[Sung]
Enjolras Lamarque is dead.
Lamarque! His death is the hour of fate.
The people's man.
His death is the sign we await!
On his funeral day they will honor his name.
It's a rallying cry that will reach every ear!
In the death of Lamarque we will kindle the flame
They will see that the day of salvation is near!
The time is hear!
Let us welcome it gladly with courage and cheer
Let us take to the streets
with no doubt in our hearts
But a jubilant shout
They will come one and all
They will come when we call!
DO YOU HEAR THE PEOPLE SING
Enjolras Do you hear the people sing?
Singing a song of angry men?
It is the music of a people
Who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart
Echos the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes!
Combeferre Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me? S
omewhere beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?
Courfeyrac Then join in the fight
That will give you the right to be free!
All Do you hear the people sing?
Singing a song of angry men?
It is the music of a people
Who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart
Echos the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes!
Feuilly Will you give all you can give
So that our banner may advance
Some will fall and some will live
Will you stand up and take your chance?
The blood of the martyrs
Will water the meadows of France!
All Do you hear the people sing?
Singing a song of angry men?
It is the music of a people
Who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart
Echos the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start When tomorrow comes!
IN MY LIFE
[Cosette stands in her garden on Rue Plumet.]
Cosette How strange, this feeling that my life's begun at last
This change, can people really fall in love so fast?
What's the matter with you, Cosette?
Have you been too much on your own?
So many things unclear
So many things unknown.
In my life
There are so many questions and answers
That somehow seem wrong
In my life
There are times when I catch in the silence
The sigh of a faraway song
And it sings
Of a world that
I long to see
Out of reach
Just a whisper away
Waiting for me!
Does he know I'm alive?
Do I know if he's real?
Does he see what I saw?
Does he feel what I feel?
In my life
I'm no longer alone
Now the love in my life
Is so near
Find me now, find me here!
Valjean Dear Cosette,
You're such a lonely child
How pensive, how sad you seem to me
Believe me, were it within my power
I'd fill each passing hour
How quiet it must be,
I can see
With only me for company.
Cosette There's so little I know
That I'm longing to know
Of the child that I
was In a time long ago
There's so little you say O
f the life you have known
Why you keep to yourself
Why we're always alone
So dark, so dark and deep
The secrets that you keep!
In my life
I have all that I want
You are loving and gentle and good.
But Papa, dear Papa,
In your eyes I am just a poor child
Who is lost in a wood
Valjean No more words
No more words, it's a time that is dead
There are words
That are better unheard,
better unsaid.
Cosette In my life
I'm no longer a child and I yearn
For the truth that you know
Of the years... years ago!
Valjean You will learn
Truth is given by
God To us all
In our time
In our turn
[Valjean leaves the garden; Marius and Eponine are outside.]
Marius In my life
She has burst like the music of angels
The light of the sun
And my life seems to stop
As if something is over
And something has scarcely begun.
Eponine
You're the friend who has brought me here
Thanks to you I am one with the Gods
And Heaven is near!
And I soar through a world that is new that is free...
Eponine [to herself] Every word that he says is a dagger in me!
In my life
There's been no one like him anywhere
Anywhere, where he is...
If he asked...
I'd be his
Marius & Eponine In my life
There is someone who touches my life
Marius Waiting near
Eponine Waiting here
A HEART FULL OF LOVE
[Marius goes into the garden, leaving Eponine outside.]
Marius A heart full of love
A heart full of song
forgive me, I'm doing everything all wrong
Oh God, for shame I do not even know your name
Dear Mad'moiselle
Won't you say?
Will you tell?
Cosette A heart full of love
No fear, no regret
Marius My name is Marius Pontmercy
Cosette And mine's Cosette
Marius Cosette,
I don't know what to say
Cosette Then make no sound
Marius I am lost
Cosette I am found!
Marius A heart full of light
Cosette A night bright as day
Marius And you must never go away Cosette, Cosette
Cosette This is a chain we'll never break
Marius Do I dream?
Cosette I'm awake!
Marius A heart full of love
Eponine [outside, interjecting] He was never mine to lose
Cosette A heart full of you
Eponine Why regret what could not be?
Marius A single look and then I knew.
Eponine These are words he'll never say
Cosette I knew it too.
Eponine Not to me...
Marius From today...
Eponine Not to me...
Cosette Every day
Eponine Not for me...
Cosette & Marius For it isn't a dream
Not a dream After all!
Eponine His heart full of love
He will never Feel this way...
THE ATTACK ON RUE PLUMET
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.]
[Spoken]
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?
[Sung]
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.
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. T
hey 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
And live another day!
[Eponine walks by herself]
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
[Valjean is packing in his room]
ONE DAY MORE
Valjean One day more,
Another day, another destiny,
This never ending road to Calvary;
These men who seem to know my crime
Will surely come a second time,
One day more...
Marius I did not live until today,
How can I live when we are parted?
Valjean One day more...
Marius & Cosette Tomorrow you'll be worlds away,
And yet with you, my world has started.
Eponine One more day all on my own
Marius & Cosette Will we ever meet again?
Eponine One more day with him not caring
Marius & Cosette I was born to be with you.
Eponine What a life I might have known
Marius & Cosette And I swear I will be true!
Eponine But he never saw me there...
Enjolras One more day before the storm!
At the barricades of Freedom!
When our ranks begin to form,
Will you take your place with me?
Marius[in counterpoint] Do I follow where she goes!
Shall I join my brothers there!
Do I stay or do I dare?
All The time is now The place is here
Valjean One day more!
Javert One more day till revolution,
We will nip it in the bud!
I will join these little schoolboys,
They will wet themselves with blood!
Valjean One day more!
M. & Mme. Thenardier Watch'm run amuck,
Catch'm when they fall,
Never know your luck
When there's a free for all,
Here a little dip, There a little touch,
Most of them are goners So they won't miss much!
Various Students One day to a new beginning
Raise the flag of freedom high!
Every man will be a king
Every man will be a king
There's a new world for the winning
There's a new world to be won
Do you hear the people sing?
Marius My place is here, I fight with you!
Valjean One day more!
Marius & Cosette I did not live until today...
Tomorrow you'll be worlds away
And yet with you my world has started
Eponine One more day all on my own...
Javert I will join these people's heros
I will follow where they go I
will know their little secrets,
I will know the things they know.
Valjean One day more!
M. & Mme. Thenardier Watch 'em run amuck
Catch 'em as they fall
Never know your luck
When there's a free-for-all
Javert One more day to revolution
We weill nip it in the bud
We'll be ready for these schoolboys
Tommorow is the judgement day
Valjean Tomorrow we'll be far away,
Tomorrow is the judgement day
All Tomorrow we'll discover
What our God in Heaven has in store!
One more dawn
One more day
One day more!
[The curtain falls.]