------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LES MISERABLES ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LES MISERABLES ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 back Fleas will bite. They will do what is right [Marius spots Eponine, who is dressed as a boy.] Marius Hey little boy, what's this I see? God Eponine, the things you do! Eponine I know this is no place for me Still I would rather be with you. Marius Get out before the trouble starts Get out, 'Ponine, you might get shot Eponine I got you worried, now I have That shows you like me quite a lot Marius There is a way that you can help You are the answer to a prayer Please take this letter to Cosette And pray to God that she's still there! [She walks to the Rue Plumet...] Eponine Little you know... Little you care! [...where she meets Valjean.] I have a letter M'sieur It's addressed to your daughter Cosette It's from a boy at the barricade, Sir In the Rue de Villette. Valjean Give me that letter here, my boy Eponine He said to give it to Cosette Valjean You have my word that my daughter will know What this letter contains. [He gives her a coin.] Tell the young man she will read it tomorrow And here's for your pains Go careful now, stay out of sight There's danger in the streets tonight. [He opens the letter... and reads it.] ``Dearest Cosette, you have entered my soul And soon you will be gone. Can it be only a day since we met And the world was reborn? If I should fall in the battle to come Let this be my goodbye Now that I know you love me as well It is harder to die... I pray that god will bring me home To be with you. Pray for your Marius, he prays for you!'' [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.]
