Alain Boublil - Wedding Chorale/Beggars at the Feast lyrics

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 Thnard 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 Thnard' The circles I move in are humbler by far. Go away, Thnardier! 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 bloody great sack. I was there, never fear. Even found me this fine souvenir. (Thnardier 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! (Marius punches Thnardier 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'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! (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; 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 the story Of those who always loved you. Your mother gave her life for you Then gave you to my keeping. (The other spirits, including Eponine 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 trespa**es And take me to your glory. FANTINE & EPONINE Take my hand And lead me to salvation. Take my love, For love is everlasting. VALJEAN, FANTINE & EPONINE And remember The truth that once was spoken To love another person Is to see the face of God!