Prologue

Look down, look down
Don’t look 'em in the eye
Look down, look down
You’re here until you die
The sun is strong
It’s hot as hell below
Look down, look down
there’s twenty years to go.
I’ve done no wrong
Sweet Jesus, here my prayer
Look down, look down
Sweet Jesus doesn’t care
I know she’ll wait
I know that she’ll be true
Look down, look down
They’ve all forgotten you
When I get free
You won’t see me
'Ere for dust
Look down, look down
Don’t look 'em in the eye.
How long, O Lord
Before you let me die?
Look down, look down
You’ll always be a slave
Look down, look down
You’re standing in your grave.
Now bring me prisoner 24 601
Your time is up And your parole’s begun
You know what that means.
Yes, it means I’m free.
No! It means you get
Your yellow ticket-of-leave
You are a thief.
I stole a loaf of bread.
You robbed a house.
I broke a window pane.
My sisters child was close to death
And we were starving.
You will starve again
Unless you learn the meaning of the law.
I know the meaning of those 19 years
A slave of the law.
Five years for what you did
The rest because you tried to run
Yes, 24 601.
My name is Jean Valjean.
And I am Javert
Do not forget my name
Do not forget me me 24601
Look down, look down
You’ll always be a slave
Look down, look down
You’re standing in your grave.