The Complete Libretto: Act II
1.UPON THESE STONES - BUILDING THE
BARRICADE
2.ON MY OWN
3.UPON THESE STONES - AT THE
BARRICADE
4.LITTLE PEOPLE
5.A LITTLE FALL OF RAIN
6.NIGHT OF ANGUISH
7.THE FIRST ATTACK
8.DRINK WITH ME (The Night)
9.BRING HIM HOME
10.DAWN OF ANGUISH
11.THE SECOND ATTACK (The Death of
Gavroche)
12.THE FINAL BATTLE
13.DOG EAT DOG (The Sewers)
14.JAVERT'S SUICIDE
15.TURNING
16.EMPTY CHAIRS AT EMPTY TABLES
17.EVERY DAY
18.VALJEAN'S CONFESSION
19.THE WEDDING CHORALE
20.BEGGARS AT THE FEAST
21.EPILOGUE (Finale)
UPON THESE STONES - BUILDING THE BARRICADE
[Enjolras is addressing the revolutionaries.]
Enjolras
Here upon these stones
We will build our barricade
In the heart of the city
We claim as our own!
Each man to his duty
And don't be afraid.
Wait! I will need a report
On the strength of the foe.
Javert [disguised as a rebel]
I can find out the truth
I know their ways
Fought their wars
Served my time
In the days
Of my youth!
Various Students
Now the people will fight
And so they might
Dogs will bark
Fleas will bite.
They will do what is right
[Marius spots Eponine, who is dressed as a boy.]
Marius
Hey little boy, what's this I see?
God Eponine, the things you do!
Eponine
I know this is no place for me
Still I would rather be with you.
Marius
Get out before the trouble starts
Get out, 'Ponine, you might get shot
Eponine
I got you worried, now I have
That shows you like me quite a lot
Marius
There is a way that you can help
You are the answer to a prayer
Please take this letter to Cosette
And pray to God that she's still there!
[She walks to the Rue Plumet...]
Eponine
Little you know...
Little you care!
[...where she meets Valjean.]
I have a letter M'sieur
It's addressed to your daughter Cosette
It's from a boy at the barricade, Sir
In the Rue de Villette.
Valjean
Give me that letter here, my boy
Eponine
He said to give it to Cosette
Valjean
You have my word that my daughter will know
What this letter contains.
[He gives her a coin.]
Tell the young man she will read it tomorrow
And here's for your pains
Go careful now, stay out of sight
There's danger in the streets tonight.
[He opens the letter... and reads it.]
``Dearest Cosette, you have entered my soul
And soon you will be gone.
Can it be only a day since we met
And the world was reborn?
If I should fall in the battle to come
Let this be my goodbye
Now that I know you love me as well
It is harder to die...
I pray that god will bring me home
To be with you.
Pray for your Marius, he prays for you!''
[Valjean goes in, leaving Eponine alone.]
ON MY OWN
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
Own my own
Pretending he's beside me
All alone
I walk with him till morning
Without him
I feel his arms around me
And when I lose my way I close my eyes
And he has found me
In the rain the pavement shines like silver
All the lights are misty in the river
In the darkness, the trees are full of starlight
And all I see is him and me forever and forever
And I know it's only in my mind
That I'm talking to myself and not to him
And although I know that he is blind
Still I say, there's a way for us
I love him
But when the night is over
He is gone
The river's just a river
Without him
The world around me changes
The trees are bare and everywhere
The streets are full of strangers
I love him
But every day I'm learning
All my life
I've only been pretending
Without me
His world would go on turning
A world that's full of happiness
That I have never known
I love him
I love him
I love him
But only on my own.
UPON THESE STONES - AT THE BARRICADE
[The barricade is now complete.]
Students
Now we pledge ourselves to hold this barricade
Let them come in their legions
And they will be met
Have faith in yourselves
And don't be afraid
Let's give 'em a screwing
That they'll never forget!
This is where it begins!
And if I should die in the fight to be free
Where the fighting is hardest
There will I be
Let them come if they dare
We'll be there!
Army Officer [Offstage]
You at the barricade listen to this
No one is coming to help you to fight
You're on your own
You have no friends
Give up your guns - or die!
Enjolras
Damn their warnings, damn their lies
They will see the people rise!
Students
Damn their warnings, damn their lies
They will see the people rise!
[Javert climbs over the barricade.]
Javert
Listen my friends
I have done as I said
I have been to their lines
I have counted each man
I will tell what I can
Better be warned
They have armies to spare
And the danger is real
We will need all our cunning
To bring them to heel.
Enjolras
Have faith
If you know what their movements are
We'll spoil their game
There are ways that a people can fight
We shall overcome their power
Javert
I have overheard their plans
There will be no attack tonight
They intend to starve us out
Before they start a proper fight
Concentrate their force
Hit us from the right.
LITTLE PEOPLE
[Gavroche enters.]
Gavroche
Liar!
Good evening, dear inspector
Lovely evening, my dear.
I know this man, my friends
His name is Inspector Javert
So don't believe a word he says
'Cause none of it's true
This only goes to show
What little people can do!
And little people know
When little people fight
We may look easy pickings
But we've got some bite
So never kick a dog
Because he's just a pup
We'll fight like twenty armies
And we won't give up
So you'd better run for cover
When the pup grows up!
Grantaire
Bravo, little Gavroche, you're the top of the class!
Prouvaire
So what are we going to do
With this snake in the grass?
Enjolras
Tie this man and take him
To the tavern in there
The people will decide your fate
Inspector Javert!
Various Students
Take the bastard now and shoot him!
Let us watch the devil dance
You'd have done the same Inspector
If we'd let you have your chance!
Javert
Shoot me now or shoot me later
Every schoolboy to his sport
Death to each and every traitor
I renounce your people's court!
Combeferre
Though we may not all survive here
There are things that never die
Grantaire
What's the difference? Die a schoolboy
Die a policeman die a spy!
Enjolras
Take this man, bring him through
There is work we have to do!
[Javert is bundled away as the first shots ring out.
Eponine enters, wounded.]
Joly
There's a boy climbing the barricade!
Marius
Good God! What are you doing?
'Ponine, have you no fear?
Have you seen my beloved?
Why have you come back here?
Eponine
Took the letter like you said
I met her father at the door
He said he would give it
[She collapses]
Don't think I can stand any more.
Marius
Eponine, what's wrong? I feel...
There's something wet upon your hair
[There is blood on his hands]
Eponine, you're hurt
You need some help!
Oh God, it's everywhere....
A LITTLE FALL OF RAIN
Eponine
Don't you fret, M'sieur Marius
I don't feel any pain
A little fall of rain
Can hardly hurt me now
You're here, that's all I need to know
And you will keep me safe
And you will keep me close
And rain will make the flowers grow.
Marius
But you will live, 'Ponine - dear God above...
If I could close your wounds with words of love...
Eponine
Just hold me now, and let it be.
Shelter me, comfort me...
Marius
You would live
A hundred years
If I could show you how
I won't desert you now...
Eponine
The rain can't hurt me now
This rain will wash away what's past
And you will keep me safe
And you will keep me close
I'll sleep in your embrace at last
The rain that brings you here
Is Heaven-blessed!
The skies begin to clear
And I'm at rest
A breath away from where you are
I've come home from so far
So don't you fret, M'sieur Marius
I don't feel any pain
A little fall of rain
Can hardly hurt me now
That's all I need to know
And you will keep me safe
And you will keep me close
And rain
Will make the flowers...
Marius [in counterpoint]
Hush-a-bye, dear Eponine
You won't feel any pain
A little fall of rain
Can hardly hurt you now
I'm here
I will stay with you
Till you are sleeping
And rain
Will make the flowers...
Grow.
[She dies. Marius kisses her, then lays her on the ground.]
Enjolras
She is the first to fall
The first of us to fall upon this barricade
Marius
Her name was Eponine
Her life was cold and dark, yet she was unafraid.
Combeferre
We fight here in her name
Prouvaire
She will not die in vain.
Lesgles
She will not be betrayed.
[They carry her body off.]
NIGHT OF ANGUISH
[Valjean arrives, dressed as a soldier.]
Joly
Here comes a man in uniform
What brings you to this place?
Valjean
I come here as a volunteer
Joly
Approach and show your face.
Sentry
You wear an army uniform.
Valjean
That's why they let me through.
Joly
You've got some years behind you sir.
Valjean
There's much that I can do.
Joly
You see that prisoner over there?
Grantaire
A volunteer like you!
Combeferre
A spy who calls himself Javert!
Grantaire
He's going to get it too...
Sentry
They're getting ready to attack!
THE FIRST ATTACK
[Enjolras gives Valjean a gun.]
Enjolras
Take this and use it well!
But if you shoot us in the back,
You'll never live to tell.
Random Voices
Platoon of sappers advancing toward the barricade!
Troops behind them, fifty men or more!
Enjolras
FIRE!
[Gunfire is heard.]
Feuilly
Sniper!
[Valjean shoots a sniper who is aiming at Enjolras.]
Lesgles
See how they run away!
Grantaire
By God we've won the day!
Enjolras
They will be back again,
Make an attack again.
[To Valjean.]
For your presence of mind
For the deed you have done
I will thank you M'sieur
When our battle is won.
Valjean
Give me no thanks M'sieur
There is something that you can do.
Enjolras
If it is in my power...
Valjean
Give me the spy Javert
Let me take care of him
Javert
The law is inside out
The world is upside down
Enjolras
Do what you have to do,
The man belongs to you.
The enemy may be regrouping. Hold yourself in readiness.
Come my friends, back to your positions.
The night is falling fast...
[Valjean has taken Javert away.]
Valjean
We meet again.
Javert
You've hungered for this all your life;
Take your revenge!
How right you should kill with a knife!
[Valjean cuts the ropes which bind Javert.]
Valjean
You talk too much,
Your life is safe in my hands.
Javert
I don't understand
Valjean
Get out of here.
Javert
Valjean, take care,
I'm warning you...
Valjean
Clear out of here.
Javert
Once a thief, forever a thief
What you want you always steal!
You would trade your life for mine.
Yes, Valjean, you want a deal.
Shoot me now for all I care!
If you let me go beware.
You'll still answer to Javert!
Valjean
You are wrong, and always have been wrong.
I'm a man, no worse than any man.
You are free, and there are no conditions,
No bargains or petitions.
There's nothing that I blame you for.
You've done your duty, nothing more.
If I come out of this alive, you'll find me
At number fifty-five Rue Plumet
No doubt our paths will cross again.
[Valjean fires his gun into the air, Javert leaves quickly.
Muted applause from
the students who think Javert has been shot.]
Enjolras
Courfeyrac, you take the watch
They won't attack until it's light
Everybody stay awake
We must be ready for the fight
For the final fight
Let no one sleep tonight!
DRINK WITH ME (The Night)
[The defenders settle down for the night with wine and a
song.]
Enjolras
Marius, rest.
Feuilly
Drink with me
To days gone by
Sing with me
The songs we knew
Prouvaire
Here's to pretty girls
Who went to our heads
Joly
Here's to witty girls
Who went to our beds
All
Here's to them
And here's to you!
Grantaire
Drink with me
To days gone by
Can it be
You fear to die?
Will the world remember you
When you fall?
Could it be your death
Means nothing at all?
Is your life just one more lie?
Men
Drink with me
To days
Gone by
To the life
That used
To be
Let the wine of friendship
Never run dry
Women (in counterpoint)
Drink with me
To days
Gone by
To the life
That used
To be
At the shrine of friendship
Never say die
All
Here's to you
And here's
To me...
Marius
Do I care if I should die
Now she goes across the sea?
Life without Cosette
Means nothing at all
Would you weep, Cosette,
Should Marius fall?
Will you weep,
Cosette,
For me?
[Marius settles down to sleep.]
BRING HIM HOME
[Valjean is standing over Marius at the barricade.]
Valjean
God on high
Hear my prayer
In my need
You have always been there
He is young
He's afraid
Let him rest
Heaven blessed.
Bring him home
Bring him home
Bring him home.
He's like the son I might have known
If God had granted me a son.
The summers die
One by one
How soon they fly
On and on
And I am old
And will be gone.
Bring him peace
Bring him joy
He is young
He is only a boy
You can take
You can give
Let him be
Let him live
If I die
Let me die
Let him live
Bring him home
Bring him home
Bring him home.
DAWN OF ANGUISH
[Day breaks.]
Enjolras
The people have not stirred
We are abandoned by those who still live in fear.
The people have not heard.
Yet will will not abandon those who cannot hear.
Let us not waste lives
Let all the women and fathers of children
Go from here.
Feuilly
Drink with me to days gone by
Sing with me the songs we knew
All
At the shrine of friendship
Raise your glass high
Let the wine of friendship
Never run dry
If I die
I die with you!
THE SECOND ATTACK (The Death of Gavroche)
[The battle recommences.]
Enjolras
How do we stand, Feuilly?
Make your report.
Feuilly
We've guns enough
But ammunition short
Marius
Let me go into the streets
There are bodies all around
Ammunition to be had
Lots of bullets to be found!
Enjolras
I won't let you go
It's too much of a chance.
Marius
The same is true
For any man here!
Valjean
Let me go
He's no more than a boy
I am old
I have nothing to fear
Gavroche
You need somebody quicker
And I volunteer!
[Gavroche climbs the barricade.]
Lesgles
Come back Gavroche, don't you dare!
Joly
Someone pull him down at once!
Gavroche
Look at me, I'm almost there!
[A shot rings out from beyond the barricade. Gavroche is
hit.]
Gavroche
Little people know, when
Little people fight, we
[Another shot is fired.]
May look easy pickings
But we've got some bite!
[He is hit again.]
So never kick a dog
Because he's just a pup
We'll fight like twenty armies
And we won't give up
So you'd better run for cover
When the pup grows......
[He dies.]
THE FINAL BATTLE
Army Officer [from beyond the barricade]
You at the barricade listen to this
The people of Paris sleep in their beds
You have no chance
No chance at all
Why throw your lives away?
Enjolras
Let us die facing our foes
Make them bleed while we can
Combeferre
Make 'em pay through the nose
Courfeyrac
Make 'em pay for every man!
Enjolras
Let others rise
To take our place
Until the earth is free!
[Amidst increasingly heavy gunfire, Marius is shot.
Enjolras is killed at the
summit of the barricade. All at the barricade are killed,
except Marius, who is
wounded and unconscious, and Valjean. Valjean discovers
that Marius is still
alive and carries him down into the sewers to escape.
Javert climbs over the
barricade looking for Valjean's body. Not finding it, he
realizes that Valjean
must be in the sewers, so he goes off to where he must
emerge.]
DOG EAT DOG (The Sewers)
[Thenardier is picking through the corpses in the sewers.]
Thenardier
Here's a hint of gold
Stuck into a tooth
Pardon me M'sieur
You won't be needing this no more.
Shouldn't be too hard to sell.
Add it to the pile
Add it to the stock
Here among the sewer rats
A breath away from hell
You get accustomed to the smell.
Well someone's got to clean 'em up, my friends
Bodies on the highway
Law and order upside down
Someone's got to collect their odds and ends
As a service to the town!
[Valjean arrives, carrying Marius, and collapses.
Thenardier robs Marius.]
Here's a tasty ring
Pretty little thing
Wouldn't want to waste it
That would really be a crime
Thank you sir, I'm in your debt
Here's another toy
Take it off the boy
His heart's no longer going
And he's lived his little time
But his watch is ticking yet!
Well, someone's got to clean them up, my friends
Before the little harvest
Disappears into the mud
Someone's got to collect their odds and ends
When the gutters run with blood.
It's a world where the dog eats the dog
Where they kill for bones in the street
And God in His Heaven
He don't interfere
'Cause he's dead as the stiffs at my feet
I raise my eyes to see the heavens
And only the moon looks down
The harvest moon shines down!
[He turns over Valjean's body, recognizes him, and leaves.
Eventually, Valjean
picks up Marius again and walks through the sewers. As they
emerge, they
meet Javert.]
Valjean
It's you, Javert
I knew you wouldn't wait too long
The faithful servant at his post once more!
This man's done no wrong,
And he needs a doctor's care.
Javert
I warned you I would not give in
I won't be swayed
Valjean
Another hour yet
And then I'm yours
And all our debts are paid.
Javert
The man of mercy
Comes again
And talks of justice
Valjean
Come, time is running short
Look down, Javert
He's standing in his grave
Give way, Javert
There is a life to save.
Javert
Take him Valjean,
Before I change my mind
I will be waiting
24601.
[Valjean carries Marius off.]
JAVERT'S SUICIDE
[Javert walks the deserted streets until he comes to a
bridge over the river
Seine.]
Javert
Who is this man?
What sort of devil is he?
To have me caught in a trap
And choose to let me go free?
It was his hour at last
To put a seal on my fate
Wipe out the past
And wash me clean off the slate!
All it would take
Was a flick of his knife
Vengence was his
And he gave me back my life!
Damned if I'll live in the debt of a theif!
Damned if I'll yield at the end of the chase.
I am the Law and the Law is not mocked
I'll spit his pity right back in his face
There is nothing on earth that we share
It is either Valjean or Javert!
How can I now allow this man
To hold dominion over me?
This desperate man whom I have hunted
He gave me my life, he gave me freedom.
I should have perished by his hand!
It was his right.
It was my right to die as well
Instead I live, but live in hell!
And my thoughts fly apart
Can this man be believed?
Shall his sins be forgiven?
Shall his crimes be reprieved?
And must I now begin to doubt
Who never doubted all these years?
My heart is stone and still it trembles
The world I have known is lost in shadow.
Is he from heaven or from hell?
And does he know
That granting me my life today
This man has killed me even so?
I am reaching, but I fall
And the stars are black and cold.
As I stare into the void
Of a world that cannot hold
I'll escape now from the world
From the world of Jean Valjean
There is nowhere I can turn
There is no way to go on.....
[He throws himself into the swollen river.]
TURNING
[The women of Paris mourn their lost loved ones.]
Women
Did you see them
Going off to fight?
Children of the barricade
Who didn't last the night?
Did you see them
Lying where they died?
Someone used to cradle them
And kiss them when they cried.
Did you see them
Lying side by side?
Who will wake them?
No one ever will.
No one ever told them
That a summer day can kill.
They were schoolboys
Never held a gun
Fighting for a new world
That would rise up like the sun
Where's that new world
Now the fighting's done?
Nothing changes, nothing ever will
Every year another brat, another mouth to fill.
Same old story, what's the use of tears?
What's the use of praying if there's nobody who hears?
Turning, turning, turning, turning, turning
Through the years.
Turning, turning, turning through the years
Minutes into hours and the hours into years.
Nothing changes, nothing ever can
Round and round the roundabout and back where you began!
Round and round and back where you began!
EMPTY CHAIRS AT EMPTY TABLES
[Marius, recovering from his wounds, imagines he's back at
the ABC cafe.]
Marius
There's a grief that can't be spoken
There's a pain goes on and on
Empty chairs at empty tables
Now my friends are dead and gone
Here they talked of revolution
Here it was they lit the flame
Here they sang about tomorrow
And tomorrow never came.
From the table in the corner
They could see a world reborn
And they rose with voices ringing
I can hear them now!
The very words that they had sung
Became their last communion
On the lowly barricade..
At dawn.
Oh my friends, my friends forgive me.
[The ghosts of those who died on the barricade appear.]
That I live and you are gone
There's a grief that can't be spoken
There's a pain goes on and on
Phantom faces at the window
Phantom shadows on the floor
Empty chairs at empty tables
Where my friends will meet no more.
[The ghosts fade away.]
Oh my friends, my friends, don't ask me
What your sacrifice was for
Empty chairs at empty tables
Where my friends will sing no more...
EVERY DAY
[Cosette arrives to help Marius in his recovery.]
Cosette
Every day
You walk with stronger step
You walk with longer step
The worst is over
Marius
Every day
I wonder every day
Who was it brought me here
From the barricade?
Cosette
Don't think about it, Marius.
With all the years ahead of us!
I will never go away
And we will be together
Every day. Every day,
We'll remember that night
And the vow that we made:
`A heart full of love
A night full of you'
The words are old
But always true
Oh, God, for shame
You did not even know my name.
Marius
Dear Mad'moiselle
I was lost in your spell.
[Valjean enters, unnoticed.]
Cosette
A heart full of love
No fear no regret
`My name is Marius Pontmercy'
Marius
Cosette, Cosette!
Cosette
I saw you waiting and I knew.
Marius
Waiting for you
At your feet
Cosette
At your call
Both
And it wasn't a dream
Not a dream
After all
Valjean (interjections)
She was never mine to keep
She is youthful
She is free.
Love is the garden of the young
Let it be
Let it be
A heart full of love
This I give you
On this day.
[They notice Valjean.]
Marius
M'sieur, this is a day
I can never forget
Is gratitude enough
For giving me Cosette?
Your home shall be with us
And not a day shall pass
But will will prove our love
To you, whom we shall call
A father to us both
A father to us all.
[Cosette leaves.]
VALJEAN'S CONFESSION
Valjean
Not another word my son,
There's something now that must be done
You've spoken from the heart
And I must do the same
There is a story, sir
Of slavery and shame
That you alone must know.
I never told Cosette
She had enough of tears
She's never known the truth
Of the story you must hear
Of years ago.
There lived a man named Jean Valjean
He stole some bread to save his sister's son
For nineteen winters served his time
In sweat he washed away his crime
Years ago
He broke parole and lived a life apart
How could he tell Cosette and break her heart?
It's for Cosette that this must be faced
If he is caught she is disgraced
The time is come to journey on
And from this day he must be gone
Who am I?
Who am I?
Marius
You're Jean Valjean!
What can I do
That will turn you from this?
Monsieur, you cannot leave
Whatever I tell my beloved Cosette
She will never believe!
Valjean
Make her believe
I have gone on a journey
A long way away
Tell her my heart was too full for farewells
It is better this way
Promise me, M'sieur, Cosette will never know.
Marius
I give my word.
Valjean
... what I have spoken, why I must go.
Marius
For the sake of Cosette, it must be so.
THE WEDDING CHORALE
[Marius and Cosette lead a wedding procession.]
Chorus
Ring out the bells upon this day of days!
May all the angels of the Lord above
In jubilation sing their songs of praise!
And crown this blessed time with peace and love.
[The procession becomes a dancing celebration. A waltz is
played.]
Major Domo
The Baron and Baroness de Thenard wish to pay their
respects to the groom!
Thenardier
I forget where we met
Was it not at the Chateau Lafarge
Where the duke did that puke
Down the Duchess's de-coll-etage?
Marius
No, `Baron de Thenard'
The circles I move in are humbler by far.
Go away, Thenardier!
Do you think I don't know who you are?
Mme. Thenardier
He's not fooled, told you so.
Show M'sieur what you've come here to show.
Tell the boy what you know!
[Applause from the dancers as the waltz finishes.]
Marius
When I look at you, I remember Eponine
She was more than you deserved, who gave her birth
But now she is with God and happier, I hope
Than here on earth!
[The waltz starts up again.]
Thenardier
So it goes, heaven knows
Life has dealt me some terrible blows.
Mme. Thenardier
You've got cash and a heart
You could give us a bit of a start
We can prove, plain as ink
Your bride's father is not what you think.
Thenardier
There's a tale I could tell
Mme. Thenardier
Information we're willing to sell.
Thenardier
There's a man that he slew
I saw the corpse clear as I'm seeing you!
What I tell you is true!
Mme. Thenardier
Pity to disturb you at a feast like this
But five hundred francs surely wouldn't come amiss.
Marius
In God's name say what you have to say.
Thenardier
But first you pay!
What I saw, clear as light
Jean Valjean in the sewers that night
Had this corpse on his back
Hanging there like a great bloody sack.
I was there, never fear
Even found me this fine souvenir!
[Thenardier shows Marius a ring.]
Marius
I know this! This was mine!
Surely this is some heavenly sign!
Thenardier
One more thing, mark this well
It was the night the barricades fell.
Marius
Then it's true, then I'm right
Jean Valjean was my saviour that night!
[Marius hits Thenardier and then throws money at him.]
As for you, take this too!
God forgive the things that we do.
Come my love, come Cosette
This day's blessings are not over yet!
[Marius and Cosette leave.]
BEGGARS AT THE FEAST
Thenardier
Ain't it a laugh?
Ain't it a treat?
Hob-nobbin' here
Among the elite?
Here comes a prince
There goes a Jew.
This one's a queer
But what can you do?
Paris at my feet
Paris in the dust
And here I'm breaking bread
With the upper crust!
Beggar at the feast!
Master of the dance!
Life is easy pickings
If you grab your chance.
Everywhere you go
Law-abiding folk
Doing what is decent
But they're mostly broke!
Singing to the Lord on Sundays
Praying for the gifts He'll send.
M. and Mme. Thenardier
But we're the ones who take it
We're the ones who make it in the end!
Watch the buggers dance
Watch 'em till they drop
Keep your wits about you
And you stand on top!
Masters of the land
Always get our share
Clear away the barricades
And we're still there!
We know where the wind is blowing
Money is the stuff we smell
And when we're rich as Croesus
Jesus! Won't we see you all in hell!
[Valjean is alone in the shadows, with a bare wooden cross
for company.]
Valjean
Alone I wait in the shadows
I count the hours till I can sleep
I dreamed a dream Cosette stood by
It made her weep to know I die.
Alone at the end of the day
Upon this wedding night I pray
Take these children, my Lord, to thy embrace
And show them grace.
God on high
Hear my prayer
Take me now
To thy care
Where You are
Let me be
Take me now
Take me there
Bring me home
Bring me home.
[Fantine's spirit appears to Valjean.]
Fantine
M'sieur, I bless your name
M'sieur, lay down your burden
You raised my child in love
And you will be with God.
Valjean (interjecting)
I am ready, Fantine
At the end of my days
She's the best of my life.
[Marius and Cosette rush into the room, but they do not see
Fantine.]
Cosette
Papa, papa, I do not understand!
Are you alright? They said you'd gone away.
Valjean
Cosette, my child, am I forgiven now?
Thank God, thank God, I've lived to see this day.
Marius
It's you who must forgive a thoughtless fool
It's you who must forgive a thankless man
It's thanks to you that I am living
And again I lay down my life at your feet.
Cosette, your father is a saint.
When they wounded me
He took me from the barricade
Carried like a babe
And brought me home to you!
Valjean (to Cosette)
Now you are here
Again beside me
Now I can die in peace
For now my life is blessed
Cosette
You will live, Papa, you're going to live
It's too soon, too soon to say goodbye.
Valjean
Yes, Cosette, forbid me now to die
I'll obey
I will try
On this page
I write my last confession
Read it well
When I at last am sleeping.
It's a story
Of those who always loved you
Your mother gave her life for you
Then gave you to my keeping.
[The other spirits appear.]
Fantine
Come with me
Where chains will never bind you
All your grief
At last, at last behind you.
Lord in Heaven
Look down on him in mercy.
Valjean
Forgive me all my trespasses
And take me to your glory.
Valjean, Fantine, and Eponine
Take my hand
And lead me to salvation
Take my love
For love is everlasting.
And remember
The truth that once was spoken
To love another person
Is to see the face of God!
EPILOGUE (Finale)
Chorus
Do you hear the people sing
Lost in the valley of the night
It is the music of a people
Who are climbing to the light
For the wretched of the earth
There is a flame that never dies
Even the darkest night will end
And the sun will rise.
They will live again in freedom
In the garden of the Lord
They will walk behind the plough-share
They will put away the sword
The chain will be broken
And all men will have their reward!
Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?
Do you hear the people sing
Say, do you hear the distant drums?
It is the future that they bring
When tomorrow comes!
Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?
Do you hear the people sing
Say, do you hear the distant drums?
It is the future that they bring
When tomorrow comes!
Tomorrow comes!
Tomorrow comes!
[The curtain falls.]