At The End Of The Day
Les Misérables (1985 Original London Cast) Lyrics

At the end of the day
Another day has passed

You're another day older.
Time is constantly moving forward

And that's all you could say
The poor have little control over their lives

For the life of the poor.
Poor people exist in a constant struggle

It's a struggle, it's a war,
Being poor is a battle

And there's nothing that anyone's giving
No one is giving the poor any help or resources

One more day, standing about, what is it for?
The poor question the meaning and purpose of their existence

One day less to be living.
Each day is a day closer to death

At the end of the day you're another day colder,
The coldness of poverty is unrelenting

And the shirt on your back doesn't keep out the chill.
Poor people lack basic necessities to survive

And the righteous hurry past,
Society ignores the suffering of the poor

They don't hear the little ones crying.
Even the cries of children go unheard and ignored

And the winter is coming on fast, ready to kill.
The harshness of winter is dangerous and deadly for the poor

One day nearer to dying!
Poverty threatens the very lives of the poor

At the end of the day there's another day dawning,
A new day will come, but with it comes new struggles

And the sun in the morning is waiting to rise.
There is always hope for a better future

And the waves crash on the sand,
Life is full of tumultuous ups and downs

Like a storm that'll break any second.
The future is uncertain and volatile

There's a hunger in the land,
There is a widespread need for basic necessities

There's a reckoning still to be reckoned.
The consequences of poverty must still be faced

And there's gonna be hell to pay,
There will be consequences for ignoring and neglecting the poor

At the end of the day you get nothing for nothing,
The poor must work hard just to survive

Sitting flat on your bum doesn't buy any bread.
Laziness is not an option for the poor

There are children back at home,
Families struggle to provide for their children

And the children have got to be fed.
The basic needs of children cannot be overlooked

And you're lucky to be in a job,
Employment is not a guarantee for the poor

And in a bed!
Having a stable place to sleep is a privilege

And we're counting our blessings!
The little things in life can be appreciated and cherished

Have you seen how the foreman is fuming today?
Anger and hostility are often present in the workplace

With his terrible breath and his wandering hands?
The foreman's behavior is inappropriate and unsettling

It's because little Fantine won't give him his way,
Sexual harassment is a common issue for women in the workplace

Take a look at his trousers, you'll see where he stands!
The foreman's lustful intentions are made clear

And the boss, he never knows,
Higher-ups are often unaware of workplace issues

That the foreman is always on heat.
The foreman is constantly sexually aroused

If Fantine doesn't look out,
Fantine must be cautious and watch out for herself

Watch how she goes,
Fantine's safety is uncertain and at risk

She'll be out on the street!
Fantine's job and livelihood are in danger

At the end of the day it's another day over,
Time keeps moving forward, regardless of the struggles and pain

With enough in your pocket to last for a week!
Money is often scarce for the poor

Pay the landlord, pay the shop,
Basic necessities must be paid for

Keep on working as long as you're able.
The poor must work hard to provide for themselves

Keep on working till you drop,
The struggle of poverty is unrelenting

Or it's back to the crumbs on the table.
Returning to poverty is a constant threat

You've got to pay your way,
Survival is dependent on providing for oneself

And what have we here, little innocent sister?
Sarcasm is used to belittle and demean Fantine

Come on Fantine, let's have all the news!
Fantine is being subjected to humiliation and ridicule

"Dear Fantine you must send us more money,
Fantine's struggles are compounded by the financial demands of others

Your child needs a doctor,
Fantine's daughter is in need of medical attention

There's no time to lose!"
Urgency and desperation are present in the situation

What is this shouting all about?
The workplace is chaotic and tense

Will someone tear these two apart?
Conflict and aggression are present in the workplace

This is a factory, not a circus!
Employees are expected to behave professionally in the workplace

Now come on ladies, settle down!
The boss attempts to pacify the situation

I run a business of repute,
The boss prides himself on the reputation of the company

I am the Mayor of this town.
The boss holds significant power and authority

I look to you to sort this out,
The boss expects employees to handle their own issues

And be as patient as you can.
Employees are expected to be understanding and cooperative

Now someone say how this began!
The boss seeks clarification and understanding of the situation

At the end of the day she's the one who began it!
Fantine is unfairly blamed for the situation

There's a kid that she's hiding in some little town.
Fantine is attempting to provide for her daughter

There's a man she has to pay,
Fantine must resort to prostitution to provide for her daughter

You can guess how she picks up the extra.
The desperate measures Fantine must take are implied

You can bet she's earning her keep sleeping around,
Fantine's prostitution is the only way to make ends meet

And the boss wouldn't like it!
Fantine's actions conflict with the company's image

It is true there's a child,
Fantine's daughter is a real and important factor in her life

And the child is my daughter,
Fantine is a mother and must provide for her child

And her father abandoned us leaving us flat.
Fantine's husband left them with no support

Now she lives with an innkeeper man and his wife,
Fantine must rely on the generosity of others to provide for her daughter

And I pay for the child,
Fantine's main concern is the well-being of her daughter

What's the matter with that?
Fantine's actions are justifiable for the sake of her daughter

At the end of the day she'll be nothing but trouble,
Fantine's situation is perceived as a burden and liability

And there's trouble for all when there's trouble for one!
Societal issues affect everyone, not just the individuals directly involved

While we're earning our daily bread,
The poor must work hard just to survive

She's the one with her hands in the butter!
Fantine is perceived as manipulating the system for her own benefit

You must send the slut away,
Fantine's prostitution is frowned upon and she is unfairly targeted

Or we're all gonna end in the gutter!
Fantine's actions may have far-reaching consequences for everyone

And it's us who'll have to pay,
The poor will bear the brunt of societal issues

I might'a known the bitch could bite,
Fantine is unfairly judged and harshly criticized

I might'a known the cat had claws,
Fantine is perceived as being manipulative and aggressive

I might'a guessed your little secret.
Fantine's situation is not as secret as she believes

Ah, yes, the virtuous Fantine,
Sarcasm is used to mock Fantine's perceived character

Who keeps herself so pure and clean,
Fantine is perceived as being unclean and impure

You'd be the cause I had no doubt,
Fantine is unfairly blamed for the workplace conflict

Of any trouble hereabout,
Fantine is perceived as a troublemaker

You play a virgin in the light,
Fantine's perceived innocence and purity are mocked

But need no urgin' in the night!
Fantine's prostitution is used to invalidate her character

She'll be laughing at you,
Fantine is viewed as deserving of ridicule and scorn

While she's having her men.
Fantine's prostitution is a point of mockery and shame

She'll be nothing but trouble again and again!
Fantine's situation is perceived as a never-ending problem

You must sack the girl today,
Fantine is unfairly targeted and blamed for the workplace conflict

Sack the girl today!
Fantine is seen as a liability to the company

Right my girl,
Fantine is dismissed from her job

On your way!
Fantine is cast out and forced to continue her struggle alone