Les Miserables - Beggars At The Feast Lyrics
BEGGARS AT THE FEASTThenardierAin't it a laugh?Ain't it a treat?Hob-nobbin' hereAmong the elite?Here comes a princeThere goes a Jew.This one's a queerBut what can you do?Paris at my feetParis in the dustAnd here I'm breaking breadWith the upper crust!Beggar at the feast!Master of the dance!Life is easy pickingsIf you grab your chance.Everywhere you goLaw-abiding folkDoing what is decentBut they're mostly broke!Singing to the Lord on SundaysPraying for the gifts He'll send.M. and Mme. ThenardierBut we're the ones who take itWe're the ones who make it in the end!Watch the buggers danceWatch 'em till they dropKeep your wits about youAnd you stand on top!Masters of the landAlways get our shareClear away the barricadesAnd we're still there!We know where the wind is blowingMoney is the stuff we smellAnd when we're rich as CroesusJesus! Won't we see you all in hell![Valjean is alone in the shadows, with a bare wooden cross for company.]ValjeanAlone I wait in the shadowsI count the hours till I can sleepI dreamed a dream Cosette stood byIt made her weep to know I die.Alone at the end of the dayUpon this wedding night I prayTake these children, my Lord, to thy embraceAnd show them grace.God on highHear my prayerTake me nowTo thy careWhere You areLet me beTake me nowTake me thereBring me homeBring me home.[Fantine's spirit appears to Valjean.]FantineM'sieur, I bless your nameM'sieur, lay down your burdenYou raised my child in loveAnd you will be with god.Valjean (interjecting)I am ready, FantineAt the end of my daysShe's the best of my life.[Marius and Cosette rush into the room, but they do not see Fantine.]CosettePapa, papa, I do not understand!Are you alright? They said you'd gone away.ValjeanCosette, my child, am I forgiven now?Thank God, thank God, I've lived to see this day.MariusIt's you who must forgive a thoughtless foolIt's you who must forgive a thankless manIt's thanks to you that I am livingAnd again I lay down my life at your feet.Cosette, your father is a saint.When they wounded meHe took me from the barricadeCarried like a babeAnd brought me home to you!Valjean [to Cosette]Now you are hereAgain beside meNow I can die in peaceFor now my life is blessedCosetteYou will live, Papa, you're going to liveIt's too soon, too soon to say goodbye.ValjeanYes, Cosette, forbid me now to dieI'll obeyI will tryOn this pageI write my last confessionRead it wellWhen I at last am sleeping.It's a storyOf those who always loved youYour mother gave her life for youThen gave you to my keeping.[The other spirits appear.]FantineCome with meWhere chains will never bind youAll your griefAt last, at last behind you.Lord in HeavenLook down on him in mercy.ValjeanForgive me all my trespassesAnd take me to your glory.Valjean, Fantine, & EponineTake my handAnd lead me to salvationTake my loveFor love is everlasting.And rememberThe truth that once was spokenTo love another personIs to see the face of God!
