Montreuil-sur-Mer, 1823

At the End of the Day

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 winter 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 from the factory]
FOREMAN:
At the end of the day you get nothing for nothing
Sitting flat on your butt doesn't buy any bread
WORKER ONE:
There are children back at home

WORKERS ONE AND TWO:
And the children have got to be fed
WORKER TWO:
And you're lucky to be in a job
WOMAN:
And in a bed!
WORKERS:
And we're counting our blessings!
WOMAN TWO:
Have you seen how the foreman is fuming today?
With his terrible breath and his wandering hands?
WOMAN THREE:
It's because little Fantine won't give him his way
Take a look at his trousers, you'll see where he stands!
WOMAN FOUR:
And the boss, he never knows
That the foreman is always in heat
WOMAN THREE:
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 off the table
You've got to pay your way
At the end of the day!

GIRL (Grabbing a letter from Fantine):
And what have we here, little innocent sister?
Come on Fantine, let's have all the news!
[Reading the letter]
"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 (M. Madeleine) rushes on to break up the squabble.]
VALJEAN:
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
WOMAN:
You must sack her today 

WORKERS:
Sack the girl today!
FOREMAN (spoken):
Right my girl. On your way!

I Dreamed a Dream

FANTINE:

There was a time when men were kind

When their voices were soft

And their words inviting

There was 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 time 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 you hope apart

As 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 will live the years together

But there are dreams that cannot be

And there are storms we cannot weather

I had a dream my life would be

So different from this hell I'm living

So different now from what it seemed!

Now life has killed the dream

I dreamed

Lovely Ladies

SAILOR ONE:
I smell women
Smell 'em in the air
Think I'll drop my anchor
In that harbor over there
SAILOR TWO:
Lovely ladies
Smell 'em through the smoke
Seven days at sea
Can make you hungry for a poke?
SAILOR THREE:
Even stokers need a little stoke!
WOMEN:
Lovely ladies
Waiting for a bite
Waiting for the customers
Who only come at night
Lovely ladies
Ready for the call
Standing up or lying down
Or any way at all
Bargain prices up against the wall
WOMAN:
Come here, my dear
Let's see this trinket you wear
This bagatelle...
FANTINE:
Madame, I'll sell it to you...
WOMAN:
I'll give you four
FANTINE:
That wouldn't pay for the chain!
WOMAN:
I'll give you five. You're far to eager to sell.
It's up to you.
FANTINE:
It's all I have
WOMAN:
That's not my fault 

FANTINE: 

Please make it ten! 

WOMAN: 

No more than five
My dear, we all must stay alive!
WOMEN:
Lovely ladies
Waiting in the dark
Ready for a thick one
Or a quick one in the park
Whore 1:
Long time short time
Any time, my dear
Cost a little extra if you want to take all year!
ALL:

Quick and cheap is underneath the pier!
CRONE:
What pretty hair!
What pretty locks you´ve got there
What luck you´ve 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!
PIMP:
Give me the dirt, who's that bit over there?
WHORE ONE:
A bit of skirt. She's the one sold her hair.
WHORE TWO:
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!
WHORE ONE:
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
WHORE TWO:
Make money in your sleep!
WHORE ONE:
That's right dearie, let him have the lot
WHORE THREE:
That's right dearie, show him what you've got! 

WOMEN:
Old men, young men, take 'em as they come
Harbor rats and alley cats and every kind of scum
Poor men, rich men, leaders of the land
See them with their trousers off they're never quite as grand
All it takes is money in your hand!
Lovely ladies
Going for a song
Got a lot of callers
But they never stay for long 

FANTINE:
Come on, Captain, you can wear your shoes
Don't it make a change
To have a girl who can't refuse
Easy money
Lying on a bed
Just as well they never see
The hate that's in your head
Don't they know they're making love
To one already dead!

Fantine's Arrest

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!
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've 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 believe 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.' 

VALJEAN:
A moment of your time, Javert
I do believe this woman's tale
JAVERT: 

But, monsieur 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 asideI never did no wrong
VALJEAN:
Is it true, what I have done?
FANTINE:
My daughter's close to dying...
VALJEAN:
To an innocent soul?
FANTINE:
If there's a God above
VALJEAN:
Had I only known then...

FANTINE:
He'd let me die instead
VALJEAN:
In His name my task has just begun
I will see it done!
JAVERT:
But M'sieur Mayor!
VALJEAN:

I will see it done!                                                              JAVERT:                                                                            But M'sieur Mayor! 

VALJEAN:

I will see it done!     

The Runaway Cart

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 rearrested
And he comes to court today
Well 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                                          With no sign of understanding or repentance              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]

Who Am I?

VALJEAN:
He thought that man was me
Without a second 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 would they live?
If I am not free?
If I speak, they are condemned.
If I stay silent, I am damned!
Who am I?
Can I condemn this man to slavery?
Pretend I do not feel his agony?
This innocent who wears 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 men?
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
Who am I? Who am I?
I'm Jean Valjean!
And so Javert, you see it's true
This man bears no more guilt than you!
Who am I?
24601!

Come to Me (Fantine's Death)

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 hear, the winter wind is crying?
There's a darkness which comes without a warning
But I will sing you lullabies and wake you in the morning.
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 shall 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 sooner 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 [to Fantine]: 

And this I swear to you tonight 

JAVERT [to Valjean]:
There is no place for you to hide
VALJEAN [to Fantine]:
Your child will live within my care
JAVERT [to Valjean]:
Wherever you may hide away
VALJEAN [to Fantine]:
And I will raise her to the light.
VALJEAN AND JAVERT:
I swear to you, I will be there!

Castle on a Cloud

YOUNG COSETTE:
There is a castle on a cloud,
I like to go there in my sleep,
Aren't any floors for me to sweep,
Not in my castle on a cloud.
There is a lady all in white,
Holds me and sings a lullaby,
She's nice to see and she's soft to touch,
She says "Cosette, I love you very much."
I know a place where no one's lost,
I know a place where no one cries,
Crying at all is not allowed,
Not in my castle on a cloud.
MME. THÉNARDIER:
Now look who's here
The little madamoiseille!
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. THÉNARDIER:
Enough of that, or I'll forget to be nice!
You heard me ask for something,
And I never ask twice! 

Master of the House

THÉNARDIER:
My band of soaks
My den of dissolutes
My dirty jokes, my always pissed as newts.
My sons of whores
Spent their lives in my inn
Homing pigeons homing in
They fly through my doors
And their money's as good as yours
(Thenardier greets a new customer)
THÉNARDIER:
Welcome, M'sieur
Sit yourself down
And meet the best
Innkeeper in town
As for the rest,
All of 'em crooks
Rooking their guests
And cooking the books.
Seldom do you see
Honest men like me
A gent of good intent
Who's content to be
Master of the house
Doling out the charm
Ready with a handshake
And an open palm
Tells a saucy tale
Makes a little stir
Customers appreciate a bon-viveur
Glad to do a friend a favor
Doesn't cost me to be nice
But nothing gets you nothing
Everything has got a little price!
Master of the house
Keeper of the zoo
Ready to relieve 'em
Of a sou or two
Watering the wine
Making up the weight
Pickin' up their knick-knacks
When they can't see straight
Everybody loves a landlord
Everybody's bosom friend
I do whatever pleases
Jesus! Won't I bleed 'em in the end!
THÉNARDIER & CHORUS:
Master of the house
Quick to catch yer eye
Never wants a passerby
To pass him by
Servant to the poor
Butler to the great
Comforter, philosopher,
And lifelong mate!
Everybody's boon companion
Everybody's chaperone
THÉNARDIER:
But lock up your valises
Jesus! Won't I skin you to the bone!
(To another new customer)

THÉNARDIER:
Enter M'sieur
Lay down your load
Unlace your boots
And rest from the road (Taking his bag)
This weighs a ton
Travel's a curse
But here we strive
To lighten your purse
Here the goose is cooked
Here the fat is fried
And nothing's overlooked
Till I'm satisfied...
Food beyond compare
Food beyond belief
Mix it in a mincer
And pretend it's beef
Kidney of a horse
Liver of a cat
Filling up the sausages
With this and that
Residents are more than welcome
Bridal suite is occupied
Reasonable charges
Plus some little extras on the side!
Charge 'em for the lice
Extra for the mice
Two percent for looking in the mirror twice
Here a little slice
There a little cut
Three percent for sleeping with the window shut
When it comes to fixing prices
There are a lot of tricks he knows
How it all increases
All those bits and pieces
Jesus! It's amazing how it grows!
THÉNARDIER AND CHORUS:
Master of the house
Quick to catch yer eye
Never wants a passerby
To pass him by
Servant to the poor
Butler to the great
Comforter, philosopher,
And lifelong mate!
Everybody's boon companion
Gives 'em everything he's got
THÉNARDIER:
Dirty bunch of geezers
Jesus! What a sorry little lot!
MME. THÉNARDIER:
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!
THÉNARDIER & CHORUS:
Master of the house.
MME. THÉNARDIER:
Master and a half!
THÉNARDIER & CHORUS:
Comforter, philosopher
MME. THÉNARDIER:
Don't make me laugh!
THÉNARDIER & CHORUS:
Servant to the poor. Butler to the great.
MME. THÉNARDIER:
Hypocrite and toady and inebriate!
THÉNARDIER & CHORUS:
Everybody bless the landlord!
Everybody bless his spouse!
THÉNARDIER:
Everybody raise a glass
MME. THÉNARDIER:

Raise it up the master's arse.  

ALL: 

Everybody raise a glass to the master of the house!

Thénadier Waltz

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

THÉNARDIER:
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. THÉNARDIER:
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. & MME. THÉNARDIER:
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)