Claude-Michel Schönberg - Prologue lyrics

["Work Song"] [PRISONERS] Aaah, aah, aaaahhhh Look down, look down Don't look 'em in the eye Look down, look down You're here until you die [PRISONER #1] The sun is strong It's hot as Hell below [PRISONERS] Look down, look down There's twenty years to go [PRISONER #2] I've done no wrong Sweet Jesus, hear my prayer [PRISONERS] Look down, look down Sweet Jesus doesn't care [PRISONER #3] I know she'll wait I know that she'll be true [PRISONERS] Look down, look down They've all forgotten you [PRISONER #4] When I get free you won't see me Here for dust [PRISONERS] Look down, look down Don't look 'em in the eye [PRISONER #5] How long, oh Lord Before you let me die? [PRISONERS] 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 thief [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 d**h And we were starving [JAVERT] You will starve again Unless you learn the meaning of the law [VALJEAN] I know the meaning of those nineteen 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'm Javert Do not forget my name Do not forget me, 24601 [PRISONERS] Look down, look down You'll always be a slave Look down, look down You're standing in your grave Aaah, aah, aaaahhhh ["On Parole"] [VALJEAN] Freedom is mine The earth is still I feel the wind I breathe again And the skies clear The world is waking 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 let's see What this new world Will do for me [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 have 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" [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 [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 their feet ["Valjean Arrested/Valjean Forgiven"] [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 'til morning Rest from pain, and rest from wrong [VALJEAN] He let me eat my fill, I had the lion's share This silver in my hand, costs twice what I had earned In all those nineteen years, a lifetime of despair And yet he trusted me The old fool trusted me, he'd 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! [Valjean runs away, but is caught by the constables and brought back to the bishop.] [CONSTABLE #1] Tell his reverence your story [CONSTABLE #2] Let us see if he's impressed [CONSTABLE #1] You were lodging here last night [CONSTABLE #2] You were the honest Bishop's guest And then out of Christian goodness When he learned about your plight [CONSTABLE #1] 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 You forgot I gave these also Would you leave the best behind? [The bishop gives Valjean two candlesticks.] So, M'sieur, you may release him For this man has spoken true I commend you for your duty And God's blessing go with you [The constables leave.] [BISHOP (to Valjean)] 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 Pa**ion and the Blood God has raised you out of darkness I have bought your soul for God!