Claude-Michel Schönberg - Wedding Chorale / Beggars at the Feast lyrics

{WEDDING CHORALE} [Marius and Cosette lead the wedding procession.] [Chorus (overlapping)] Ring out the bells upon this day of days May all the angels of the Lord above In jubilation, sing their songs of praise (In jubilation, sing their songs of praise) And crown this blessed time (And crown this blessed time) With peace and love (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 what 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 bloody great sack I was there, never fear Even found me this fine souvenir [Thenardier shows Marius a ring.] [MARIUS] I know this. This was mine This is surely some heavenly sign! [THENARDIER] One thing more, mark this well It was the night the barricades fell [MARIUS] Then it's true. Then I'm right Jean Valjean was my savior that night! As for you, take this too! [Marius punches Thenardier and then throws money at him.] God forgive us the things that we do Come my love, come Cosette This day's blessings are not over yet [Marius and Cosette exit.] {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's me 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. & 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!