lesmizmarqui.gif (21595 bytes)

The Complete Libretto: Act I

          1.Prologue - WORK SONG
          2.VALJEAN ARRESTED/VALJEAN FORGIVEN
          3.WHAT HAVE I DONE (Valjean's Soliloquy)
          4.AT THE END OF THE DAY
          5.I DREAMED A DREAM
          6.LOVELY LADIES
          7.FANTINE'S ARREST
          8.THE RUNAWAY CART
          9.WHO AM I? (The Trial)
         10.COME TO ME (Fantine's Death)
         11.THE CONFRONTATION
         12.CASTLE ON A CLOUD
         13.MASTER OF THE HOUSE
         14.THE BARGAIN
         15.THE WALTZ OF TREACHERY
         16.LOOK DOWN
         17.THE ROBBERY
         18.JAVERT'S INTERVENTION
         19.STARS
         20.EPONINE'S ERRAND
         21.RED AND BLACK (The ABC Cafe)
         22.DO YOU HEAR THE PEOPLE SING
         23.IN MY LIFE
         24.A HEART FULL OF LOVE
         25.THE ATTACK ON RUE PLUMET
         26.ONE DAY MORE



      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
      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 theif

      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 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 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 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'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!

      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 whirpool 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!
      And the boss, he never knows
      That the foreman is always in heat
      If Fantine doesn't look out
      Watch how she goes
      She'll be out on the street!

      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??

      Women
      At the end of the day she'll be nothing but trouble
      And there's trouble for all when there's trouble for one
      While we're earning our daily bread
      She's the one with her hands in the butter
      You must send the slut away
      Or we're all gonna end in the gutter
      And it's us who'll have to pay
      At the end of the day!

      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.

      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...

      I DREAMED A DREAM

      [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 much different from this hell I'm living
      So different now from what it seemed
      Now life has killed
      The dream I dreamed.

      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!

      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 shame that's in your head
      Don't they know they're making love
      To one already dead!

      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!
      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
      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.]

      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.

      [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!

      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 and threatens Javert with the broken piece. Turns to
      Fantine.]

      Valjean
      And this I swear to you tonight

      Javert
      There is no place for you to hide

      Valjean
      Your child will live within my care

      Javert
      Wherever you may hide away

      Valjean
      And I will raise her to the light.

      Valjean & Javert
      I swear to you, I will be there!

      [They fight, Javert is knocked out. Valjean escapes.]

      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 room that's full of toys,
      There are a hundred boys and girls,
      Nobody shouts or talks too loud,
      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.

      Oh help! I think I hear them now,
      and I'm nowhere near finished sweeping and
      scrubbing and polishing the floor.
      Oh, it's her! It's Madame!

      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.
      Eponine, come my dear, Eponine, let me see you
      You 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

      Drinkers
      Come on you old pest
      Fetch a bottle of your best
      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
      [To himself] Right away, you scum
      [To customer] Right away, m'sieur

      Drinkers
      God this place has gone to hell
      So you tell me every year
      Mine host Thenardier
      He was there so they say,
      At the field of Waterloo
      Got there, it's true
      When the fight was all through
      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
      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
      Then fly through my doors
      And their money's as good as yours

      Drinkers
      Ain't got a clue
      What he put in this stew
      Must have scraped it off the street
      God what a wine!
      Chateau Neuf de Turpentine
      Must have pressed it with his feet
      Landlord over here!
      Where's the bloody man?
      One more for the road!
      Thenardier, one more slug o' gin.
      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 busom 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
      Landed 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 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...

      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 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 patch.]

      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 my 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 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

      [Thenardier assembling 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!
      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!

      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!

      Gavroche
      That inspector thinks he's something
      But it's me who runs this town!
      And my theater never closes
      And the curtain's never down
      Trust Gavroche, have no fear
      Don't you worry, auntie dear,
      You can always find me here!

      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!

      [Marius enters.]

      Marius, you're late.

      Joly
      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!

      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!

      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?
      Somewhere 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
      Of 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 like a chile
      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
      I'm doing everything all wrong
      Oh God, for shame
      I do not even know your name
      Dead 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.]

      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
      And live another day!

      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
      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 pinch,
      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.]



   
  Continue to Act II