Lyrics Prologue: Work Song - Colm Wilkinson, Roger Allam

Prologue: Work Song

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.