At The End Of The Day
The Original London Cast of Les Misérables Lyrics

At the end of the day you're another day older
After each passing day, you grow older and realize the harsh reality of life

And that's all you can say for the life of the poor
The impoverished have nothing to show for their lives except for the passing of time

It's a struggle, it's a war
Their existence is a constant battle, an ongoing war against poverty

And there's nothing that anyone's giving
No one is providing any help or assistance to those in need

One more day standing about, what is it for?
Another day spent idle, with no clear purpose or direction

One day less to be living
With each passing day, their time on this earth diminishes

At the end of the day you're another day colder
As time goes on, the hardships faced by the poor become even more unbearable

And the shirt on your back doesn't keep out the chill
Even basic necessities cannot shield them from the cold realities of life

And the righteous hurry past
Those who consider themselves morally superior ignore the suffering of the less fortunate

They don't hear the little ones crying
The cries and pleas of the innocent go unnoticed and ignored

And the winter is coming on fast, ready to kill
As winter approaches, the poor face the threat of death and extreme hardships

One day nearer to dying!
Each day brings them closer to their eventual demise

At the end of the day there's another day dawning
Despite the struggles, a new day starts, offering a glimmer of hope

And the sun in the morning is waiting to rise
Each morning holds the promise of a new beginning, a chance to overcome adversity

Like the waves crash on the sand
The problems faced by the poor are relentless and unceasing, just like the crashing waves

Like a storm that'll break any second
Their lives are akin to a storm that could erupt and wreak havoc at any moment

There's a hunger in the land
A deep and desperate need for basic necessities pervades the land

There's a reckoning still to be reckoned and
There is a day of judgment and accountability that still awaits

There's gonna be hell to pay
The consequences of society's neglect and indifference will be severe

At the end of the day!
All these struggles and hardships persist relentlessly

At the end of the day you get nothing for nothing
In this world, you receive nothing without effort or sacrifice

Sitting flat on your butt doesn't buy any bread
Being idle and doing nothing won't provide the sustenance needed for survival

There are children back at home
Some of the poor have children waiting for their return

And the children have got to be fed
These children are dependent on their parents for their basic needs

And you're lucky to be in a job
Having employment is considered fortunate in such dire circumstances

And in a bed!
Having a place to sleep is a luxury for the poor

And we're counting our blessings!
Despite their difficulties, they still acknowledge and appreciate what little they have

Have you seen how the foreman is fuming today?
The foreman is furious and enraged at something

With his terrible breath and his wandering hands?
The foreman is both unpleasant to be around and exhibits inappropriate behavior

It's because little Fantine won't give him his way
The reason for the foreman's anger is Little Fantine's refusal to comply with his advances

Take a look at his trousers, you'll see where he stands!
His trousers indicate his immoral intentions and desires

And the boss, he never knows
The boss is unaware of the foreman's inappropriate behavior

That the foreman is always in heat
The foreman is constantly driven by lust and desire

If Fantine doesn't look out, watch how she goes
If Fantine isn't careful, she may end up in a dangerous situation

She'll be out on the street!
Fantine may find herself homeless and destitute

At the end of the day it's another day over
Another day has passed, with no major changes or improvements in sight

With enough in your pocket to last for a week
Having just enough money to survive for a short period of time

Pay the landlord, pay the shop
The money earned is immediately used to pay rent and purchase basic necessities

Keep on grafting as long as you're able
Continue working hard as long as you can physically endure it

Keep on grafting till you drop
Continue working relentlessly until your energy is completely depleted

Or it's back to the crumbs off the table
If you stop working, you'll be left with nothing and have to beg for even the smallest leftovers

You've got to pay your way
Survival depends on your ability to make ends meet

And what have we here, little innocent sister?
A mocking and sarcastic question directed at Fantine, implying she is naive and pure

Come on Fantine, let's have all the news!
Taunting Fantine to share all the details of her difficult life

"Dear Fantine you must send us more money
A request for additional financial support

Your child needs a doctor
An urgent need for medical attention for Fantine's child

There's no time to lose..."
Emphasizing the urgency of the situation

Give that letter to me
Demanding control of the letter and its contents

It is none of your business
Rejecting the interference and asserting personal privacy

With a husband at home
Referring to the fact that she has a husband, although absent

And a bit on the side!
Suggesting there is an extramarital affair

Is there anyone here
Addressing those present

Who can swear before God
Challenging them to declare with sincerity before God

She has nothing to fear?
Asserting that there is nothing to be afraid of or ashamed about

She has nothing to hide?
Claiming there are no secrets or concealed wrongdoing

Will someone tear these two apart?
Calling for intervention to separate Fantine from the ongoing conflict

What is this fighting all about?
Questioning the motives and reasons behind the ongoing dispute

This is a factory, not a circus!
Reminding everyone of their roles and the place they are in

Now come on ladies, settle down
Urging the women to calm themselves and find resolution

I run a business of repute
Affirming the reputation and importance of the business being operated

I am the Mayor of this town
Asserting authority and asserting his position as the town's Mayor

I look to you to sort this out
Expecting the women to resolve the conflict on their own

And be as patient as you can-
Recommending patience and understanding to help resolve the issue

Now someone say how this began!
Requesting an explanation of the origin or cause of the conflict

She's the one who began it
Blaming Fantine for initiating the conflict

There's a kid that she's hiding
Accusing Fantine of concealing a child

In some little town
Referring to the location where the child is being kept secret

There's a man she has to pay
Revealing that Fantine is financially supporting a man

You can guess how she picks up the extra
Implying that Fantine engages in questionable activities to earn additional money

You can bet she's earning her keep
Assuming that she is exchanging her services for financial support or protection

Sleeping around
Accusing Fantine of engaging in promiscuous behavior

And the boss wouldn't like it!
Speculating that the boss, if aware, would disapprove of her actions

Yes it's true there's a child
Confirming the existence of a child

And the child is my daughter
Revealing that the child is Fantine's daughter

And her father abandoned us
Explaining that the child's father has left them

Leaving us flat
Being deserted and left with no support or resources

Now she lives with an innkeeper man
Describing the current living arrangement for Fantine's daughter

And his wife
Referring to the innkeeper's spouse

And I pay for the child
Taking financial responsibility for providing for the child

What's the matter with that?
Challenging anyone to find fault or criticism with her actions

At the end of the day she'll be nothing but trouble
Predicting that Fantine will only bring chaos and problems

And there's trouble for all
Anticipating that everyone will be affected by the consequences of Fantine's situation

When there's trouble for one!
Emphasizing that one person's troubles have repercussions for the entire community

While we're earning our daily bread
Highlighting the efforts and struggles of others to earn their livelihood

She's the one with her hands in the butter
Implying that Fantine is benefiting or enjoying a comfortable life while others toil

You must send the slut away
Demanding that Fantine be expelled or removed due to her perceived immorality

Or we're all gonna end in the gutter
Warning that everyone will suffer the same fate of destitution and despair

And it's us who'll have to pay
Emphasizing that the consequences of Fantine's presence will fall upon the entire community

I might have known the bitch could bite
Expressing a lack of surprise that Fantine would react harshly

I might have known the cat had claws
Realizing that Fantine is not as innocent as she may have seemed

I might have guessed your little secret
Recognizing that Fantine had a hidden side or personal secret

Ah, yes, the virtuous Fantine
Sarcastically referring to Fantine as virtuous or morally superior

Who keeps herself so pure and clean
Mocking Fantine's supposed purity and cleanliness

You'd be the cause I had no doubt
Accusing Fantine of being the source or reason for the troubles and tensions

Of any trouble hereabout
Attributing all the problems in the vicinity to Fantine's presence or actions

You play a virgin in the light
Observing how Fantine portrays herself as innocent and chaste

But need no urgin' in the night
Implying that Fantine indulges in sexual activities when darkness falls

She's been laughing at you
Revealing that Fantine has been mocking or ridiculing them

While she's having her men
While engaging in relationships or encounters with multiple men

She'll be nothing but trouble again and again
Fantine's presence and actions will consistently bring disruption and problems

You must sack her today
Insisting that Fantine be fired or dismissed immediately

Sack the girl today!
Calling for the immediate termination of Fantine's employment

Right my girl. On your way!
Ordering Fantine to leave and implying dismissal from her job