Finale
Original London Cast Lyrics

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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 to ever 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 and 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!

Do you hear the people sing?
Lost in the valley of the night
It is the music of a people
Who are climbing to the light

For the wretched of the Earth
There is a flame that never dies
Even the darkest night will end
And the sun will rise

They will live again in freedom
In the garden of the Lord
They will walk behind the ploughshare
They will put away the sword

The chain will be broken and all men will have their reward

Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?

Do you hear the people sing?
Say, do you hear the distant drums?
It is the future that they bring
When tomorrow comes!

Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?

Do you hear the people sing?
Say, do you hear the distant drums?
It is the future that they bring
When tomorrow comes!

Aah, aah, aah
Tomorrow comes!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Original Cast's song, "Finale", depict the emotional reunion between Jean Valjean and Fantine's daughter, Cosette. Jean Valjean thought he was going to die, but Cosette's presence gave him the strength to live. As Jean Valjean expresses his desire to obey and try to live longer, he hands Cosette a confession that tells the story of those who have loved and sacrificed for her. Valjean then asks Cosette to come with him where chains will never bind her, and all her grief will be left behind. Valjean asks God to forgive him of his trespasses and take him to his glory. He takes Cosette's hand and leads her to salvation, while reminding her that to love another person is to see the face of God. The song culminates with a call to join the crusade, to stand strong, and to see tomorrow come.

"Finale" is a powerful song that ties together the themes of love, sacrifice, redemption, and hope that are so prevalent throughout Les Miserables. The closing chorus, "Do you hear the people sing?", invites listeners to join in the crusade for freedom and justice. While the lyrics refer to a specific historical period (the June Rebellion of 1832), it resonates with anyone who has ever desired change or felt oppressed. The song also highlights the idea of individual actions that can lead to positive collective outcomes.

Line by Line Meaning

Now you are here
I am so happy to have you back in my life again

Again, beside me
You are beside me once more, like old times

Now, I can die in peace
Having you by my side gives me inner peace and happiness

For now my life is blessed
My life is full of blessings now that you're here

You will live papa, you're going to live!
You're going to make it, father! Don't give up

It's too soon to ever say goodbye
It's never the right time to say goodbye to someone you love

Yes, Cosette
I promise you, Cosette

Forbid me now to die
Please don't let me die yet

I'll obey I will try
I will do my best to follow your wishes

On this page
This letter that I am writing

I write my last confession
This is my final confession

Read it well
Please read this letter carefully

When I, at last, am sleeping
When I finally pass away and am at rest

It's the story
This letter tells the story

Of those who always loved you
It's about everyone who ever cared about you

Your mother gave her life for you and gave you to my keeping
Your mother sacrificed herself for you and entrusted you to my care

Come with me
Please follow me

Where chains will never bind you
I will take you to a place where you will be free

All your grief
All the pain and sadness you have endured

At last, at last, behind you
You can finally leave all your troubles behind

Lord in Heaven
God in Heaven

Look down on him in mercy
Please have mercy on him and show him kindness

Forgive me all my trespasses and take me to Your glory
Please forgive me for my sins and take me to Heaven

Take my hand
Please hold my hand

And lead me to salvation
Guide me to salvation

Take my love
Take all the love I have to offer

For love is everlasting
Love is eternal and will never fade

And remember The truth that once was spoken
Always remember the truth that was once told

To love another person is to see the face of God!
Loving someone is a sacred thing and can make you feel closer to God

Do you hear the people sing?
Can you hear the sound of the people singing?

Lost in the valley of the night
Trapped in the darkness of despair

It is the music of a people
The people are expressing themselves through their song

Who are climbing to the light
They are striving to rise above their struggles

For the wretched of the Earth
For those who are suffering and oppressed

There is a flame that never dies
There is always hope and resilience, even in the darkest of times

Even the darkest night will end
Even the toughest times will eventually come to an end

And the sun will rise
A new day will come and bring with it the promise of better things

They will live again in freedom
They will be free once more

In the garden of the Lord
In a place of peace and tranquility

They will walk behind the ploughshare
They will lead a simple and fulfilling life

They will put away the sword
They will live in a world without violence and war

The chain will be broken and all men will have their reward
There will be no more oppression and everyone will receive their just reward

Will you join in our crusade?
Do you want to join our cause?

Who will be strong and stand with me?
Who is brave enough to fight alongside me?

Somewhere beyond the barricade
There is a place beyond the barriers we face

Is there a world you long to see?
Do you have a vision of a better world?

Say, do you hear the distant drums?
Can you hear the sound of the approaching battle?

It is the future that they bring
The coming battle will shape the future

When tomorrow comes!
When the future becomes the present!

Aah, aah, aah
(musical interlude)

Tomorrow comes!
The future arrives!

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALAIN ALBERT BOUBLIL, CLAUDE MICHEL SCHONBERG, RICHARD E. MALTBY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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