Bring Him Home
Alain Boublil & Claude-Michel Schönberg Lyrics

The lyrics to the song "Bring Him Home" from the musical Les Misérables, composed by Claude-Michel Schönberg and with lyrics by Alain Boublil, evoke a heartfelt plea to God for the safety and protection of a young man. The singer, Jean Valjean, is singing this prayerful soliloquy, expressing his longing for the well-being and happiness of someone he sees as a son figure. Valjean appeals to the compassionate and just nature of God, acknowledging that through all his trials and hardships, God has always been there to support him.

Valjean describes the young man as being fearful and in need of rest, therefore seeking the blessings of heaven to ensure his tranquility. In the next verse, Valjean reflects on the absence of a son in his life, pondering what this young man could have been to him if fate had allowed. The passing of time is emphasized with the line "The summers die, one by one, how soon they fly, on and on," signifying the fleeting nature of life. Valjean himself recognizes his own mortality, stating that he is old and will eventually be gone.

The ultimate desire of the song is expressed in the repetitive plea to "bring him home." Valjean implores God to provide peace and joy to this young man, emphasizing his vulnerability due to his age. Valjean acknowledges both the power of God to take and give, but insists on the continuation of the young man's life and happiness. The song concludes with Valjean's willingness to sacrifice himself if it means the young man can continue to live and find solace in his own home.