Epilogue
Les Misérables - 10th Anniversary Concert Cast Lyrics
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I count the hours 'til I can sleep
I dreamed a dream Cosette stood by
It made her weep to know I die
Alone at the end of the day
Upon this wedding night I pray
Take these children, my Lord, to thy embrace
And show them grace
God on high
Hear my prayer
Take me now
To thy care
Where You are
Let me be
Take me now
Take me there
Bring me home
Bring me home
M'sieur, I bless your name
M'sieur, lay down your burden
You raised my child in love
And you will be with god
I am ready, Fantine
At the end of my days
She's the best of my life
Papa, Papa, I do not understand!
Are you alright? They said you'd gone away
Cosette, my child, am I forgiven now?
Thank God, thank God, I've lived to see this day
It's you who must forgive a thoughtless fool
It's you who must forgive a thankless man
It's thanks to you that I am living
And again I lay down my life at your feet
Cosette, your father is a saint
When they wounded me
He took me from the barricade
Carried like a babe
And brought me home to you!
Now you are here
Again beside me
Now I can die in peace
For now my life is blessed
You will live, Papa, you're going to live
It's too soon, too soon to say goodbye!
Yes, Cosette, forbid me now to die
I'll obey,
I will try
On this page
I write my last confession
Read it well
When I at last am sleeping
It's the story
Of those who always loved you
Your mother gave her life for you
Then gave you to my keeping
Come with me
Where chains will never bind you
All your grief
At last, at last behind you
Lord in Heaven,
Look down on him in mercy
Forgive me all my trespasses
And take me to your glory
Take my hand
And lead me to salvation
Take my love,
For love is everlasting
And remember
The truth that once was spoken
To love another person
Is to see the face of God!
The lyrics of "Epilogue" from Les Misérables Cast's song tell the emotional conclusion of the story. It begins with the character who has been alone and waiting in the shadows, counting the hours until they can find rest. They dreamed of Cosette standing by their side, but it made her weep to know that they were dying. On this wedding night, they pray to God to take care of their children and show them grace.
The next part of the song features a conversation between the character Fantine and another character called M'sieur. Fantine blesses M'sieur's name and acknowledges that he raised her child with love. She believes that he will be with God and thanks him for his kindness. The character then speaks to their child, Cosette, who is confused and worried about their well-being. The character asks for forgiveness and expresses gratitude for being able to live long enough to see their child.
In the final lines, the character reveals that their father, who they address as Papa, is a saint. They share the story of being wounded and rescued by Papa during the barricade conflict, symbolizing his selflessness. Now that Cosette is by their side again, they can die in peace, feeling blessed because of her presence. However, Cosette refuses to let them go, expressing that it's too soon to say goodbye.
The song conveys themes of love, redemption, forgiveness, and the longing for salvation. It explores the beauty of selfless love and the belief that to love another person is to see the face of God. Ultimately, "Epilogue" serves as a poignant conclusion to the musical's narrative, tying together the characters' journeys and emphasizing the power of love and sacrifice.
Line by Line Meaning
Alone I wait in the shadows
In solitude, I remain hidden
I count the hours 'til I can sleep
I count the passing time until I can find rest
I dreamed a dream Cosette stood by
I had a vision of Cosette by my side
It made her weep to know I die
Knowing that I will die brought tears to her eyes
Alone at the end of the day
In solitude as the day concludes
Upon this wedding night I pray
On this night of matrimony, I offer my prayers
Take these children, my Lord, to thy embrace
Receive these children into your loving embrace, O Lord
And show them grace
Bestow upon them your divine favor
God on high
Supreme being in the heavens
Hear my prayer
Listen to my supplications
Take me now
Take me into your care immediately
To thy care
To your loving protection
Where You are
In the place of your presence
Let me be
Allow me to exist
Take me now
Take me at this moment
Take me there
Lead me to that place
Bring me home
Take me back to my rightful place
Bring me home
Bring me back to my abode
M'sieur, I bless your name
Sir, I offer my benediction upon your name
M'sieur, lay down your burden
Sir, relieve yourself of your heavy load
You raised my child in love
You nurtured my child with affection
And you will be with god
And you will dwell in the divine presence
I am ready, Fantine
I am prepared, Fantine
At the end of my days
As my life draws to a close
She's the best of my life
She is the pinnacle of my existence
Papa, Papa, I do not understand!
Father, Father, I am perplexed!
Are you alright? They said you'd gone away
Are you well? They conveyed that you had departed
Cosette, my child, am I forgiven now?
Cosette, my dear, have I been pardoned?
Thank God, thank God, I've lived to see this day
Expressing gratitude to God for witnessing this day
It's you who must forgive a thoughtless fool
It is you who should pardon a foolish and inconsiderate person
It's you who must forgive a thankless man
It is you who should forgive an ungrateful man
It's thanks to you that I am living
It is due to your kindness that I am alive
And again I lay down my life at your feet
Once more, I dedicate my life to you
Cosette, your father is a saint
Cosette, your father is a holy person
When they wounded me
When I was injured
He took me from the barricade
He rescued me from the barricade
Carried like a babe
Carried as if I were an infant
And brought me home to you!
And brought me back to your loving presence!
Now you are here
Now that you are present
Again beside me
Once more by my side
Now I can die in peace
Now I can pass away with tranquility
For now my life is blessed
Because now my life is filled with divine favor
You will live, Papa, you're going to live
You will survive, Father, you will persevere
It's too soon, too soon to say goodbye!
It is too early, too early to bid farewell!
Yes, Cosette, forbid me now to die
Indeed, Cosette, prevent me from departing at this moment
I'll obey, I will try
I shall comply, I will make an effort
On this page
Within these written words
I write my last confession
I pen down my final confession
Read it well
Interpret it thoroughly
When I at last am sleeping
When I am finally at rest
It's the story
It is the tale
Of those who always loved you
Of those who have forever cherished you
Your mother gave her life for you
Your mother sacrificed her life for your sake
Then gave you to my keeping
And entrusted you to my care
Come with me
Accompany me
Where chains will never bind you
To a place where you will never be restrained
All your grief
All your sorrow
At last, at last behind you
Finally, finally left behind
Lord in Heaven
O Lord in the celestial realm
Look down on him in mercy
Gaze upon him with compassion
Forgive me all my trespasses
Pardon me for all my transgressions
And take me to your glory
And bring me into your glorious presence
Take my hand
Accept my hand
And lead me to salvation
And guide me towards redemption
Take my love
Receive my affection
For love is everlasting
Because love is eternal
And remember
And always bear in mind
The truth that once was spoken
The truth that was once uttered
To love another person
To hold affection for another individual
Is to see the face of God!
Is to witness the divine presence!
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alain Boublil, Claude-Michel Schonberg, Herbert Kretzmer, Jean-Marc Natel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind