Prologue: Look Down

Look down, look down
Don't look 'em in the eye
Look down, look down
You're here until you die.

Now Prisoner 24601
Your time is up
And your parole's begun
You know what that means.

Yes, it means I'm free

No!
Follow to the letter your itinerary,
This badge of shame you wear until you die.
It warns that you're a dangerous man.

I stole a loaf of bread
My sister's 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, 24601.

My name is Jean Valjean

And I am Javert
Do not forget my name
Do not forget me
24601.

Look down, look down
You'll always be a slave
Look down, look down
You're standing in your grave.

Freedom at last, how strange the taste
Never forget the years, the waste
Nor forgive them for what they've done
They are the guilty, everyone
The day begins and now let's see
How this new world will do for me!