Wedding Chorale / Beggars at the Feast

Lyrics

[MARIUS and COSETTE lead a wedding procession.] [GUESTS] Ring out the bells upon this day of days May all the angels of the Lord above In jubilation (In) Sing their songs of praise (Jubilation, sing their songs of praise) And crown this Blessed time with peace and love (And crown this blessed time) (Peace and love) [The procession becomes a dancing celebration. A waltz is played.] [MAJOR DOMO, spoken] The Baron and Baroness de Thénard Wish to pay their respects to the groom [THÉNARDIER] I forget where we met Was it not at the Chateau Lafarge Where the Duke did that puke Down the Duchess's décolletage? [MARIUS] No, "Baron de Thénard" The circles I move in are humbler by far Go away, Thénardier Do you think I don't know who you are? [MADAME THÉNARDIER] He's not fooled, told you so Show Monsieur what you've come here to show Tell the boy what you know [The waltz finishes.] [MARIUS] When I look at you, I remember Éponine She was more than you deserved, who gave her birth But now she is with God and happier, I hope Than here on earth [The waltz starts up again.] [THÉNARDIER] So it goes, heaven knows Life has dealt me some terrible blows [MADAME THÉNARDIER] You've got cash and a heart You could give us a bit of a start We can prove, plain as ink Your bride's father is not what you think [THÉNARDIER] There's a tale I could tell [MADAME THÉNARDIER] Information we're willing to sell [THÉNARDIER] There's a man what he slew I saw the corpse clear as I'm seeing you What I tell you is true [MADAME THÉNARDIER] Pity to disturb you at a feast like this But five hundred francs surely wouldn't come amiss [MARIUS] In God's name, say what you have to say [THÉNARDIER] But first you pay! [MARIUS pays THÉNARDIER.] What I saw, clear as light Jean Valjean in the sewer that night Had this corpse on his back Hanging there like a bloody great sack I was there, never fear Even found me this fine souvenir [THÉNARDIER shows MARIUS a ring.] [MARIUS] I know this, this was mine This is surely some heavenly sign [THÉNARDIER] One thing more, mark this well It was the night that the barricades fell [MARIUS] Then it's true, then I'm right Jean Valjean was my savior that night! As for you, take this too! [MARIUS punches THÉNARDIER, then throws money at him.] [THÉNARDIER, spoken] Oh! [MARIUS] God forgive us the things that we do Come my love, come Cosette This day's blessings are not over yet [The THÉNARDIERS begin to dance. MARIUS and COSETTE leave.] [THÉNARDIER] Ain't it a laugh? Ain't it a treat? Hob-nobbing here among the elite? Here comes a prince There goes a Jew This one's a queer, but what can you do? Paris at my feet Paris in the dust And here's me breaking bread with the upper crust Beggar at the feast Master of the dance Life is easy pickings if you takes your chance Everywhere you go Law-abiding folk Doing what is decent, but they're mostly broke! Singing to the Lord on Sundays Praying for the gifts He'll send [THÉNARDIER & MADAME THÉNARDIER] But we're the ones who take it We're the ones who make it in the end Watch the buggers dance Watch 'em till they drop Keep your wits about you and you stand on top! Masters of the land Always get our share Clear away the barricades and we're still there! We know where the wind is blowing Money is the stuff we smell And when we're rich as Croesus Jesus! Won't we see you all in hell!