Prologue: Work Song

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

[convict one]
The sun is strong
It's hot as hell below.

[prisoner]
Look down, look down,
There's twenty years to go.

[convict two]
I've done no wrong
Sweet jesus, hear my prayer!

[prisoners]
Look down look down
Sweet jesus doesn't care.

[convict three]
I know she'll wait
I know that she'll be true!

[prisoners]
Look down, look down
They've all forgotten you

[convict four]
When i get free ya won't see me
Here for dust!

[prisoners]
Look down, look down
Don't look 'em in the eye.

[convict five]
How long, oh lord
Before you let me die?

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

[javert]
Now bring me prisoner 24601
Your time is up
And your parole's begun
You know what that means.

[valjean]
Yes, it means i'm free.

[javert]
No
It means you get
Your yellow ticket-of-leave
You are a thief.

[valjean]
I stole a loaf of bread.

[javert]
You robbed a house.

[valjean]
I broke a window pane
My sister's child was close to death
And we were starving.

[javert]
You will starve again
Unless you learn the meaning of the law.

[valjean]
I know the meaning of those 19 years
A slave of the law

[javert]
Five years for what you did
The rest because you tried to run
Yes, 24601.

[valjean]
My name is jean valjean

[javert]
And i am javert
Do not forget my name
Do not forget me
24601.