Les Miserables - Prologue Lyrics
[Chorus]Look down, look downDon't look 'em in the eyeLook down, look downYou're here until you die[1ST convict]The sun is strongIt's hot as hell below[Chorus]Look down, look downThere's twenty years to go.[2ND convict]I've done no wrongSweet Jesus, here my prayer[Chorus]Look down, look downSweet Jesus doesn't care3RD convictI know she'll waitI know that she'll be true[Chorus]Look down, look downThey've all forgotten you4TH convictWhen I get freeYou won't see me'Ere for dust[Chorus]Look down, look downDon't look 'em in the eye.5TH convictHow long, O LordBefore you let me die?[Chorus]Look down, look downYou'll always be a slaveLook down, look downYou're standing in your grave.[Javert]Now bring me prisoner 24601Your time is upAnd your parole's begunYou know what that means.[Valjean]Yes, it means I'm free.[Javert]No! It means you getYour yellow ticket-of-leaveYou are a thief.[Valjean]I stole a loaf of bread.[Javert]You robbed a house.[Valjean]I broke a window pane.My sisters child was close to deathAnd we were starving.[Javert]You will starve againUnless you learn the meaning of the law.[Valjean]I know the meaning of those 19 yearsA slave of the law.[Javert]Five years for what you didThe rest because you tried to runYes, 24601.[Valjean]My name is Jean Valjean.[Javert]And I am JavertDo not forget my nameDo not forget me24601[Chorus]Look down, look downYou'll always be a slaveLook down, look downYou're standing in your grave.[Valjean]Freedom is mine. The earth is still.I feel the wind. I breathe again.And the skies clear.The earth is waking.Drink from the pool. How clean the taste.Never forget the years, the waste.Nor forgive themFor what they've done.They are the guilty- everyone.The day begins...And now let's seeWhat this new world,Will do for me![Farmer]You'll have to goI'll pay you off for the dayCollect your bits and pieces thereAnd be on your way.[Valjean]You have given me halfWhat the other men getThis handful of tinWouldn't buy my sweat![Labourer]You broke the lawIt's there for people to seeWhy should you get the sameAs honest men like me?[Valjean]Now every door is closed to meAnother jail. Another key. Another Chain.For when I come to any townThey check my papersAnd they find the mark of Cain.In their eyesI see their fear"We do not want you here."[Innkeepers wife]My rooms are fullAnd I've no supper to spareI'd like to help a strangerAll we want is to be fair.[Valjean]I will pay in advanceI will sleep in a barnYou see how dark it isI'm not some kind of dog.[Innkeeper]You leave my house!Or feel the weight of my rod.We're law-abiding people hereThanks be to God.[Valjean]And now I know how freedom feelsThe jailer always at your heelsIt is the law!Ths piece of paper in my handIt makes me cursed throughout the landIt is the law!Like a curseI walk the street,The dirt beneath their feet...[Bishop]Come in, Sir, for you are wearyAnd the night is cold out there.Though our lives are vey humbleWhat 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 handCosts twice what I had earnedIn all those nineteen years-That lifetime of despairAnd yet he trusted me-The old fool trusted me-He'd done his bit of goodI played the greatful serfAnd thanked him like I should.But when the house was still,I got up in the nightTook the silver,Took my flight![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 than out of Christian goodness.When he learned about your plight[Constable 1]You mantain he made a present of thisSliver[Bishop]That is right.But my friend you left so earlySurely something slipped your mind.You forgot I gave these also.Would you leave the best behind?So, Messieurs, you may release himFor this man has spoken true.I commend you for your dutyAnd God's blessing go with you.(to Valjean)But remember this, my brotherSee in this some higher plan.You must use this precious silverTo become an honest man.By the witness of the martyrsBy the Passion and the BloodGod has raised you out of darknessI have bought your soul for God!