Confrontation
Les Misérables (1985 Original London Cast) Lyrics
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We see each other plain
Monsieur le Maire
You'll wear a different chain!
Before you say another word, Javert
Before you chain me up like a slave again
Listen to me! There is something I must do.
There is none but me who can intercede,
In Mercy's name, three days are all I need.
Then I'll return, I pledge my word.
Then I'll return
You must think me mad!
I've hunted you across the years
Men like you can never change
A man such as you.
(Men like me can never change)
Believe of me what you will
(Men like you can never change)
There is a duty that I'm sworn to do
(No,)
You know nothing of my life
(24601)
All I did was steal some bread
(My duty's to the law - you have no rights)
You know nothing of the world
(Come with me 24601)
You would sooner see me dead
(Now the wheel has turned around)
But not before I see this justice done
(Jean Valjean is nothing now)
I am warning you Javert
(Dare you talk to me of crime)
I'm a stronger man by far
(And the price you had to pay)
(Every man is born in sin)
There is power in me yet
My race is not yet run
(Every man must choose his way)
You know nothing of Javert
I was born inside a jail
I was born with scum like you
I am from the gutter too!
The song Confrontation from Les Misérables (1985 Original London Cast) is a powerful duet between two main characters, Jean Valjean and Javert. In the song, Javert confronts Valjean, whom he believes is a criminal who has broken his parole. Valjean pleads with Javert to let him go so that he can help a woman and her child who are in trouble. Javert refuses to listen to Valjean and insists on taking him back to prison. Valjean asserts that he is a different man now and that his past does not define him. Javert, however, maintains that Valjean is a criminal who cannot be redeemed.
The lyrics of the song are full of tension, emotion and conflicting worldviews. On one hand, Valjean is determined to do what is right and help those in need, even if it means risking his freedom. On the other hand, Javert sees the world in black and white terms and refuses to believe that anyone can change. The song highlights the struggle between duty and compassion, justice and mercy, and the different paths that people can take in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Valjean, at last,
We see each other plain
Monsieur le Maire
You'll wear a different chain!
Finally, we come face to face, Valjean. You are no longer the Mayor - you're just another prisoner now.
Before you say another word, Javert
Before you chain me up like a slave again
Listen to me! There is something I must do.
This woman leaves behind a suffering child.
There is none but me who can intercede,
In Mercy's name, three days are all I need.
Then I'll return, I pledge my word.
Then I'll return
Hold on Javert, let me tell you something. I have a mission to complete. This woman has a child in need of care and I'm the only one who can help. I swear to you, I'll come back in three days.
You must think me mad!
I've hunted you across the years
Men like you can never change
A man such as you.
(Men like me can never change)
Believe of me what you will
(Men like you can never change)
There is a duty that I'm sworn to do
(No,)
You know nothing of my life
(24601)
All I did was steal some bread
(My duty's to the law - you have no rights)
You know nothing of the world
(Come with me 24601)
You would sooner see me dead
(Now, the wheel has turned around)
But not before I see this justice done
(Jean Valjean is nothing now)
I am warning you Javert
(Dare you talk to me of crime)
I'm a stronger man by far
(And the price you had to pay)
(Every man is born in sin)
There is power in me yet
My race is not yet run
(Every man must choose his way)
I know you think I'm crazy, Javert. That's why you've been chasing me for years. But I'm not like you - I'm changing for the better. I have a duty to fulfill, and even though you think I'm a criminal, you don't understand my story. Still, I have no choice but to face the consequences of my actions. But I'm warning you - I'm not going down without a fight. There's still fight left in me.
You know nothing of Javert
I was born inside a jail
I was born with scum like you
I am from the gutter too!
You don't know anything about my past, Valjean. I was born in prison and I'm just like you. We both came from unfortunate circumstances.
Contributed by Scarlett J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@HnyxLmn
Valjean, at last,
We see each other plain
'm'sieur le mayor, '
You'll wear a different chain
Before you say another word, Javert
Before you chain me up like a slave again
Listen to me! there is something I must do
This woman leaves behind a suffering child
There is none, but me who can intercede
In mercy's name, three days are all I need
Then I'll return, I pledge my word
Then I'll return
You must think me mad
I've hunted you across the years
Men like you can never change
A man such as you.
Believe of me what you will (men like you can never change)
There is a duty that I'm sworn to do (men like me can never change)
You know nothing of my life (no, 24601)
All I did was steal some bread (my duty's to the law)
You know nothing of the world (you have no rights)
You would sooner see me dead (come with me 24601)
But not before I see this justice done (now the wheel has turned around Jean Valjean is nothing now)
I am warning you Javert (dare you talk to me of crime)
I'm a stronger man by far (I'm the price you had to pay)
There is power in me yet (every man is born in sin)
My race is not yet run (every man must choose his way)
You know nothing of Javert
I was born inside a jail
I was born with scum like you
I am from the gutter too!
@DebtFR
Out of all the prisoners he chooses to go after, the one who took some bread was at the top of his list.
@westbrook0853
Itâs because he undermines the law and always runs away or tries to escape
@VRichardsn
He already caught the other ones
@lilymae3762
its cause he broke parole đ
@eleanorjacobo9818
ACAB
@andregomez436
It's a smart decision. It shows law and order care only to punish the poor, while the rich, who steal, exploit their workers and become rich at the expense of breaking laws and regulations are protected. Thousands of criminals and he decided to go after the one who couldn't defend himself
@kr9223
the worst part about being single is having to sing both parts by myself
@PhillipUtterback
that's the best part. i'm never wrong.
@meowmeow7900
@@PhillipUtterback I'd much rather sing both parts than have a gf who sings the other
@trevrah
I always sing Javert's part because he's my favorite character