The First Attack Songtext

von Claude-Michel Schönberg

(Enjolras gives Valjean a gun.)

Enjolras
Take this and use it well!
But if you shoot us in the back,
You'll never live to tell.

Random Voices
Platoon of sappers advancing toward the barricade!
Troops behind them, fifty men or more!

Enjolras
FIRE!

(Gunfire is heard.)

Feuilly
Sniper!

(Valjean shoots a sniper who is aiming at Enjolras.)

Lesgles
See how they run away!

Grantaire
By God we've won the day!

Enjolras
They will be back again,
Make an attack again.

(To Valjean.)

For your presence of mind
For the deed you have done
I will thank you M'sieur
When our battle is won.

Valjean
Give me no thanks M'sieur
There is something that you can do.

Enjolras
If it is in my power...

Valjean
Give me the spy Javert
Let me take care of him

Javert
The law is inside out
The world is upside down

Enjolras
Do what you have to do,
The man belongs to you.

The enemy may be regrouping. Hold yourself in readiness.
Come my friends, back to your positions.
The night is falling fast...

(Valjean has taken Javert away.)

Valjean
We meet again.

Javert
You've hungered for this all your life;
Take your revenge!
How right you should kill with a knife!

(Valjean cuts the ropes which bind Javert.)

Valjean
You talk too much,
Your life is safe in my hands.

Javert
I don't understand

Valjean
Get out of here.

Javert
Valjean, take care,
I'm warning you...

Valjean
Clear out of here.

Javert
Once a thief, forever a thief
What you want you always steal!
You would trade your life for mine.
Yes, Valjean, you want a deal.
Shoot me now for all I care!
If you let me go beware.
You'll still answer to Javert!

Valjean
You are wrong, and always have been wrong.
I'm a man, no worse than any man.
You are free, and there are no conditions,
No bargains or petitions.
There's nothing that I blame you for.
You've done your duty, nothing more.
If I come out of this alive, you'll find me
At number fifty-five Rue Plumet
No doubt our paths will cross again.

(Valjean fires his gun into the air, Javert leaves quickly.
Muted applause from the students who think Javert has been shot.)

Enjolras
Courfeyrac, you take the watch
They won't attack until it's light
Everybody stay awake
We must be ready for the fight
For the final fight
Let no one sleep tonight!