Prologue: Work Song - Colm Wilkinson, Roger Allam

Look down, look down

Don’t look 'em in the eye

Look down, look down

You’re here until you die

1ST CONVICT-

The sun is strong

It’s hot as hell below

Look down, look down

there’s twenty years to go.

2ND CONVICT-

I’ve done no wrong

Sweet Jesus, here my prayer

Look down, look down

Sweet Jesus doesn’t care

3RD CONVICT-

I know she’ll wait

I know that she’ll be true

Look down, look down

They’ve all forgotten you

4TH CONVICT-

When I get free

You won’t see me

'Ere for dust

Look down, look down

Don’t look 'em in the eye.

5TH CONVICT-

How long, O Lord

Before you let me die?

Look down, look down

You’ll always be a slave

Look down, look down

You’re standing in your grave.

JAVERT-

Now bring me prisoner 24 601

Your time is up

And your parole’s begun

You know what that means.

VALJEAN-

Yes, it means I’m free.

JAVERT-

No!

It means you get

Your yellow ticket-of-leave

You are a thief.

VALJEAN-

I stole a loaf of bread.

JAVERT-

You robbed a house.

VALJEAN-

I broke a window pane.

My sisters child was close to death

And we were starving.

JAVERT-

You will starve again

Unless you learn the meaning of the law.

VALJEAN-

I know the meaning of those 19 years

A slave of the law.

JAVERT-

Five years for what you did

The rest because you tried to run

Yes, 24 601.

VALJEAN-

My name is Jean Valjean.

JAVERT-

And I am Javert

Do not forget my name

Do not forget me

Look down, look down

You’ll always be a slave

Look down, look down

You’re standing in your grave.