The Confrontation
Hugh Jackman Lyrics

Valjean, at last,
After all this time, we finally meet again

We see each other plain
Our true selves are finally revealed to each other

'm'sieur le mayor,'
You are now the respected mayor

You'll wear a different chain
You will be in a different kind of bondage

Before you say another word, Javert
Listen to what I have to say before you speak

Before you chain me up like a slave again
Do not imprison me unfairly

Listen to me! there is something I must do
I have an important task to attend to

This woman leaves behind a suffering child
Her child will suffer without her

There is none, but me who can intercede
Only I can help and speak up for her

In mercy's name, three days are all I need
Give me three days to attend to this need, in the name of mercy

Then I'll return, I pledge my word
I promise to come back when I am done

You must think me mad
You might believe I am insane

I've hunted you across the years
I have been searching for you for many years

Men like you can never change
People with your character cannot change

A man such as you.
A person of your nature

Believe of me what you will (men like you can never change)
You can think whatever you want about me

There is a duty that I'm sworn to do (men like me can never change)
I have a duty to fulfill, which is unchangeable

You know nothing of my life (no, 24601)
You have no idea about my experiences

All I did was steal some bread (my duty's to the law)
I only committed a small crime, my duty is to follow the law

You know nothing of the world (you have no rights)
You are ignorant of how the world functions, and do not have my rights

You would sooner see me dead (come with me 24601)
You would rather kill me or put me in jail, but we will both be together there

But not before I see this justice done (now the wheel has turned around Jean Valjean is nothing now)
I will not stop until justice is served (even though my position has reversed)

I am warning you Javert (dare you talk to me of crime)
I am cautioning you, Javert

I'm a stronger man by far (I'm the price you had to pay)
I am much more powerful than you (and you should have known better than to confront me)

There is power in me yet (every man is born in sin)
I still have strength left in me (as all people are born with faults)

My race is not yet run (every man must choose his way)
I still have things to accomplish (and all men must decide their own destiny)

You know nothing of Javert
You are oblivious to who I am, Javert

I was born inside a jail
I was born in prison

I was born with scum like you
I grew up amongst people like you

I am from the gutter too!
I am also from a poor background