The Confrontation
JAVERT
Valjean, at last,
We see each other plain
M'sieur le Mayor,
You'll wear a different chain!
VALJEAN
Before you say another word, Javert
Before you chain me up like a slave again
Listen to me!
There is something I must do.
This woman leaves behind a suffering child.
There is none but me who can intercede,
In Mercy's name, three days are all I need.
Then I'll return, I pledge my word.
Then I'll return...
JAVERT
You must think me mad!
I've hunted you across the years
A man like you can never change
A man such as you.
(In counterpoint V fof Valjean, J for Javert)
V:Believe of me what you will
J:Men like me can never change
V:There is a duty that I'm sworn to do
J:Men like you can never change
V:You know nothing of my life
J:No,24601
V:All I did was steal some bread
V:You know nothing of the world
J:My duty's to the law - you have no Rights
V:You would sooner see me dead
J:Come with me 24601
V:But not before I see this justice
done
J:Now the wheel has turned around
Jean Valjean is nothing now
V:I am warning you Javert
J:Dare you talk to me of crime
V:I'm a stronger man by far
J:And the price you had to pay
V:There is power in me yet
J:Every man is born in sin
V:My race is not yet run
J:Every man is born in sin
Every man must choose his way
JAVERT
You know nothing of Javert
I was born inside a jail
I was born with scum like you
I am from the gutter too!
Valjean, at last,
We see each other plain
M'sieur le Mayor,
You'll wear a different chain!
VALJEAN
Before you say another word, Javert
Before you chain me up like a slave again
Listen to me!
There is something I must do.
This woman leaves behind a suffering child.
There is none but me who can intercede,
In Mercy's name, three days are all I need.
Then I'll return, I pledge my word.
Then I'll return...
JAVERT
You must think me mad!
I've hunted you across the years
A man like you can never change
A man such as you.
(In counterpoint V fof Valjean, J for Javert)
V:Believe of me what you will
J:Men like me can never change
V:There is a duty that I'm sworn to do
J:Men like you can never change
V:You know nothing of my life
J:No,24601
V:All I did was steal some bread
V:You know nothing of the world
J:My duty's to the law - you have no Rights
V:You would sooner see me dead
J:Come with me 24601
V:But not before I see this justice
done
J:Now the wheel has turned around
Jean Valjean is nothing now
V:I am warning you Javert
J:Dare you talk to me of crime
V:I'm a stronger man by far
J:And the price you had to pay
V:There is power in me yet
J:Every man is born in sin
V:My race is not yet run
J:Every man is born in sin
Every man must choose his way
JAVERT
You know nothing of Javert
I was born inside a jail
I was born with scum like you
I am from the gutter too!