Theatre
By Numbers
Les Misérables By Numbers: Every song in the stage musical of Les Misérables
Here’s your breakdown of every song on the Les Misérables soundtrack
Who would’ve thought an adaptation of a Victor Hugo classic would go on to become the longest-running musical in the West End? Les Misérables first came to London in 1985 and is now as firm a West End staple as there ever was, telling a story of love, loss, justice and revolution in a sung-through three hours.
Whether you’re seeing Les Misérables for the umpteenth time or preparing for your first visit, the narrative-driven songs can be a lot to get to grips with. Here’s your complete guide to Les Misérables’s hefty soundtrack.
Act One:
Prologue: Work Song
On Parole
Valjean Arrested/Valjean Forgiven
Valjean’s Soliloquy (What Have I Done?)
At The End Of The Day
I Dreamed A Dream
Lovely Ladies
Fantine’s Arrest
The Runaway Cart
Who Am I?
Fantine’s Death
The Confrontation
Castle On A Cloud
Master Of The House
The Bargain/The Waltz Of Treachery
Look Down
The Robbery
Stars
Eponine’s Errand
ABC Café/Red & Black
Do You Hear The People Sing?
Rue Plumet – In My Life
A Heart Full Of Love
The Attack On Rue Plumet
One Day More
Act Two:
Building The Barricade
On My Own
Upon These Stones – At The Barricade
Javert’s Arrival
Little People
A Little Fall Of Rain
Night Of Anguish
The First Attack
Drink With Me
Bring Him Home
Dawn Of Anguish
The Second Attack (Death Of Gavroche)
The Final Battle
The Sewers/Dog Eats Dog
Javert’s Suicide
Turning
Empty Chairs At Empty Tables
Every Day
Valjean’s Confession
Wedding Chorale/Beggars At The Feast
Epilogue
‘Prologue: Work Song’
This sombre opening number introduces us to our hero, Jean Valjean, a prisoner in Toulon. Prison guard Javert summons him to release him on parole, and we learn that Valjean’s only crime was stealing a loaf of bread and then trying to run – for this, he’s been sentenced to hard labour for nineteen years. Javert lets Valjean go and tells him not to forget him.
Key lyric: “I know the meaning of those nineteen years/A slave of the law”
‘On Parole’
Valjean celebrates his freedom but vows not to forget what he’s suffered at the hands of a corrupt justice system. He tries to find somewhere to rest but is turned away everywhere he goes, until he arrives at the house of a bishop, who takes him in and gives him something to eat. Still embittered, Valjean denounces the man as a fool and steals his silver.
Key lyric: “The silver in my hand cost twice what I had earned/In all those nineteen years, a lifetime of despair/And yet he trusted me”
‘Valjean Arrested/Valjean Forgiven’
Valjean is arrested by two constables who drag him back to face the bishop. The bishop pretends that the silver was a gift and presents Valjean with two candlesticks to along with what he already has. The bishop then tells Valjean to use the money to create a better life for himself and become a good man.
Key lyric: “You must use this precious silver/To become an honest man”
‘Valjean’s Soliloquy (What Have I Done?)’
Horrified at the man he’s become, Valjean has a small existential crisis. He decides to accept the kindness shown him by the bishop and vows to live differently from this point on.
Key lyric: “Jean Valjean is nothing now/Another story must begin”
‘At The End Of The Day’
The poor of Paris describe their daily struggle for survival. We’re introduced to Fantine, who won’t accept the advances of her factory foreman. Fantine is a single mother working to provide for her daughter Cosette, however her peers at the factory don’t like her, and urge the foreman to sack her when it’s discovered that she has a fatherless child.
Key lyric: “At the end of the day, you’re another day older/And that’s all you can say for the life of the poor”
‘I Dreamed A Dream’
Fantine reflects on how different her life looks from what she once imagined, especially since Cosette’s father left her.
Key lyric: “I had a dream my life would be so different from this hell I’m living”
‘Lovely Ladies’
Unemployed and desperate to make money to support Cosette, Fantine sells her few nice things, then her hair. She is eventually forced to turn to prostitution to survive.
Key lyric: “What can I do, it pays a debt?/Ten francs may save my poor Cosette”
‘Fantine’s Arrest’
Trying to escape from an attacker, Fantine finds herself in trouble with the law – Javert reappears, prepared to arrest her, but Valjean intervenes. He is now addressed as ‘Monsieur Mayor’ and Javert seems to respect him. Fantine is out of trouble, but refuses to show gratitude to Valjean – she reveals that it was his foreman who first cast her out onto the streets, and that Valjean stood by and let it happen. Horrified to have been the indirect cause of the tragedy, Valjean promises to save her life and protect Cosette.
Key lyric: “Monsieur, don’t mock me now, I pray/It’s hard enough I’ve lost my pride”
‘The Runaway Cart’
When Valjean interrupts a runaway cart, Javert recognises his strength. He tentatively suggests that Valjean reminds him of a convict who once broke his parole. However, Javert has recently arrested a man who he believes to finally be the thief he’s been chasing for years.
Key lyric: “He couldn’t run forever, no, not even Jean Valjean”
‘Who Am I?’
Valjean is conflicted, unsure whether to take the arrest of another man as a victory, or whether to save the innocent man. He eventually reveals himself to Javert.
Key lyric: “And so, Javert, you see it’s true/That man bears no more guilt than you!/Who am I? 24601!”
‘Fantine’s Death’
As Fantine fades from life, she imagines that she can see Cosette playing. A distraught Valjean promises her in her last moments that he will find her daughter and care for her as a father. She gives him her blessing.
Key lyric: “For god’s sake, please stay till I am sleeping/And tell Cosette I love her/And I’ll see her when I wake”
‘The Confrontation’
Javert comes after Valjean, but Valjean pleads with him to recognise that he needs to stay a free man to find Cosette. He promises to return to Javert once he knows that Cosette is safe, but Javert doesn’t believe him. Valjean knocks him out and escapes.
Key lyric: “I’ve hunted you across the years/Men like you can never change/A man such as you”
‘Castle On A Cloud’
We then find Cosette, living with an innkeeper, his wife and their young daughter, Eponine. Cosette imagines living somewhere safe with her mother as escape from her reality, in which she performs manual labour for the family and endures verbal abuse. She begs not to be sent out alone at night to draw water from the well, but is forced to go anyway.
Key lyric: “There is a castle on a cloud/I like to go there in my sleep”
‘Master Of The House’
The innkeeper, Master Thénardier, describes to the audience all the little ways that he swindles his customers.
Key lyric: “Nothing gets you nothing/Everything has got a little price”
‘The Bargain/The Waltz Of Treachery’
Valjean finds Cosette frightened in the woods and offers the Thénardiers money to take her away. The Thénardiers play up the extent of their affection for Cosette in order to get more money from Javert, but Valjean eventually leaves with her, promising her a better life.
Key lyric: “There is a duty I must heed/There is a promise I have made”
‘Look Down’
‘Look Down’ sets the scene in Paris, 1832. A young boy called Gavroche introduces us to his community of beggars and poor folk. We meet some key revolutionaries, Marius and Enjolras, and are introduced to an older Eponine, who is eager for an education, and in love with Marius.
Key lyric: “This is the land that fought for liberty/Now when we fight we fight for bread”
‘The Robbery’
The Thénardiers attempt to rob Valjean and an older Cosette, and Eponine tries to keep Marius out of the way. However, he bumps into Cosette and is instantly attracted to her. The disturbance summons Javert, and Valjean makes a near escape with Cosette.
Key lyric: “Could he be the man I hunted?/Could it be he’s Jean Valjean?”
‘Stars’
Javert reiterates his commitment to following the law by finding and capturing Jean Valjean. He believes that by doing his job, he is walking the morally correct path. At the end of this epic solo, Gavroche reappears to proclaim himself the one who really runs the streets of Paris.
Key lyric: “He knows his way in the darkness/Mine is the way of the Lord/Those who follow the path of the righteous/Shall have their reward”
‘Eponine’s Errand’
Eponine recalls her childhood with Cosette. Marius begs her to find Cosette for him, but she refuses the money he tries to give her.
Key lyric: “’Ponine! I’m lost till she is found”
‘ABC Café/Red & Black’
The student members of Les Amis de l’ABC plan their revolution. We get a proper introduction to Marius’ friend Enjolras here, who is totally committed to the revolutionary cause, and reprimands the lovestruck Marius for being distracted by Cosette. Gavroche arrives to deliver the news that General LaMarque is dead – this gives the revolutionaries their cue to act.
Key lyric: “Red – the blood of angry man/Black – the dark of ages past”
‘Do You Hear The People Sing?’
The revolutionaries break into a rallying song that encourages the people of France to fight for their freedom.
Key lyric: “Do you hear the people sing?/Singing a song of angry men?/It is the music of a people/Who will not be slaves again”
‘Rue Plumet – In My Life’
Cosette has also fallen in love with Marius at first sight and reflects on all the questions she still has about love and life. Valjean sympathises with her loneliness, recognising that he has shut her protectively away for many years. She gently reminds him that she is no longer a child.
In the garden, Marius and Eponine arrive. Marius is full of love for Cosette and Eponine keeps her heartbreak quiet.
Key lyric: “In my life/There are so many questions and answers/That somehow seem wrong”
‘A Heart Full of Love’
Cosette and Marius meet and profess their love for each other, before even telling each other their names. Eponine realises once and for all that Marius will never return her feelings.
Key lyric: “A heart full of love/No fear, no regret”
‘The Attack on Rue Plumet’
Another attempt to rob Valjean ensues, with Thénardier and his gang this time invading his home. Eponine is surprised by them and screams to warn the inhabitants. Valjean, fearing that the attack was conducted by Javert, prepares to take Cosette away immediately.
Key lyric: “This is a warning to us all/These are the shadows of the past”
‘One Day More’
Act One ends with this epic number that brings all the characters together. Each of them reflects on what tomorrow will bring for them, from Cosette and Marius, to lovelorn Eponine, to the revolutionaries. Many familiar melodies come back with new meanings, before all are united for a final chorus.
Key lyric: “Tomorrow we’ll discover what our God in heaven has in store/One more dawn/One more day/One day more”
‘Building The Barricade’
Act Two opens with the revolutionaries building their barricade, Javert among them, disguised as a rebel. Eponine disguises herself as a boy to visit Marius at the barricade, and he sends her away with a letter to deliver to Cosette. She takes the letter to Valjean, who promises to deliver it to Cosette. After she leaves, he reads Marius’ profession of love.
Key lyric: “Now that I know that you love me as well/It is harder to die”
‘On My Own’
![Lea Salonga - On My Own (Les Misérables) [720p]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/VjfmP7h3gBw/0.jpg)
Eponine reflects on her loneliness and imagines that Marius walks beside her as she returns home.
Key lyric: “I love him/but only on my own”
‘Upon These Stones – At The Barricade’
The revolutionaries prepare to defend the barricade and receive a warning from an army officer on the other side that they will be killed if they don’t back down.
Key lyric: “Damn their warnings, damn their lies/They will see the people rise”
‘Javert’s Arrival’
Javert arrives back at the barricade and gives false information, telling the revolutionaries that there will be no attack that night.
Key lyric: “There are ways that a people can fight/We shall overcome their power”
‘Little People’
Gavroche calls Javert out on his lies, revealing his identity to the revolutionaries. The students congratulate Gavroche on his keen eyes and threaten to shoot Javert.
Key lyric: “This only goes to show what little people can do”
‘A Little Fall of Rain’
A boy is seen climbing the barricade – this is actually Eponine in disguise – and shots ring out. Eponine collapses into Marius’ arms to tell him that she’s delivered the letter. He realises that she’s been shot and panics, but she comforts him, telling him that she feels no pain. After an emotional duet, she dies in his arms, with Marius realising that he has taken her for granted.
Key lyric: “And you will keep me safe/And you will keep me close/And rain will make the flowers grow”
‘Night of Anguish’
The revolutionaries honour Eponine as the first to fall at the barricade – and prepare themselves to fight. Valjean joins them, taking arms.
Key lyric: “We fight here in her name/She will not die in vain”
‘The First Attack’
As the fighting starts, Valjean saves Enjolras’ life. As a reward, he asks to be the one responsible for Javert. Javert tells him to take his revenge, but Valjean instead releases him and grants him forgiveness, to Javert’s confusion. The revolutionaries prepare for the next attack.
Key lyric: “There’s nothing that I blame you for/You’ve done your duty, nothing more”
‘Drink With Me’
The first battle over, the revolutionaries sit down for a drink. Marius thinks of Cosette and hopes he will survive long enough to see her again.
Key lyric: “Drink with me to days gone by/Can it be you fear to die?/Will the world remember you when you fall?/Could it be your death means nothing at all?”
‘Bring Him Home’
As Marius sleeps, Valjean prays that he’ll survive the fighting. Knowing that Cosette loves him, he considers Marius like a son, and begs that if one of them should die, it should be him.
Key lyric: “Let him be, let him live/If I die, let me die”
‘Dawn of Anguish’
The revolutionaries realise that the people of Paris are not joining them in their revolution. Realising that without the support of the masses their efforts are futile, Enjolras sends the women and fathers home, to mitigate unnecessary death.
Key lyric: “Let us not waste lives”
‘The Second Attack (Death of Gavroche)’
The barricade is attacked again. Short on ammunition, the revolutionaries need someone to go into the streets and collect it from the bodies – before anyone can volunteer, Gavroche climbs over the barricade. Despite being shot several times, he manages to get ammunition to the students before he dies.
Key lyric: “So never kick a dog/Because he’s just a pup/We’ll fight like twenty armies, and we won’t give up”
‘The Final Battle’
An army officer reminds the students that they have no chance of winning since the people aren’t joining them, but the brave revolutionaries opt to keep fighting anyway. All die, apart from Valjean and Marius, but the latter is wounded badly.
Key lyric: “Let others rise to take our place/Until the earth is free”
‘The Sewers/Dog Eats Dog’
Seeing that Marius is still alive, Valjean carries him into the sewers, where Thénardier is robbing bodies. When Valjean collapses, Thénardier robs Marius. Valjean recovers himself and carries on through the sewers.
Key lyric: “It’s a world where dogs eats the dog/Where they kill for the bones in the street”
‘Javert’s Suicide’
Valjean emerges from the sewers, still carrying Marius, and meets Javert. He begs Javert to let him save Marius, and promises to turn himself in afterwards. Javert allows him to carry Marius away and is then furious at himself for being manipulated into letting him go free. He still cannot understand Valjean’s refusal not to take his life and cannot cope with being indebted to a criminal. Despairing, he commits suicide by throwing himself into the river.
Key lyric: “And does he know/That granting me my life today/This man has killed me even so?”
‘Turning’
The women of Paris find the bodies of the students and mourn the cycle of birth and death that leaves everyone miserable.
Key lyric: “Nothing changes/Nothing ever can”
‘Empty Chairs At Empty Tables’
Marius mourns the death of his friends and processes his own survivor’s guilt.
Key lyric: “Oh my friends, my friends, don’t ask me/What your sacrifice was for/Empty chairs at empty tables/Where my friends will sing no more”
‘Every Day’
Marius and Cosette are reunited. As Marius’ condition improves, he wonders who saved his life, but Cosette doesn’t want to dwell on it and is just grateful to have him safely returned. Valjean mourns because he cannot stay with Cosette, even though he is glad he see her happy and in love.
Key lyric: “Every day/We’ll remember that night/And the vow that we made”
‘Valjean’s Confession’
Marius thanks Valjean for his blessing to marry Cosette. When Cosette leaves the room, Valjean confesses his past to Marius and tells him that he could never bear to tell Knowing he must leave to protect Cosette, he asks Marius to keep his secret and simply tell Cosette that he has gone away.
Key lyric: “Years ago/He broke parole and lived a life apart/How could he tell Cosette and break her heart?”
‘Wedding Chorale/Beggars At The Feast’
Some time later, Marius and Cosette marry. The Thénardiers crash the wedding, disguised as nobility, to tell Cosette that her father is a murderer – Thénardier claims to have seen him carrying a corpse in the sewer. As proof, he shows the couple the ring he stole from Marius’ body, and Marius realises that Valjean was the one who saved his life. He punches Thénardier then throws money at him. As Cosette and Marius leave to find Valjean, the Thénardiers remind the audience that everything has actually turned out quite well for them – they’ll always know how to make money.
Key lyric: “Then it’s true, then I’m right/Jean Valjean was my saviour that night!”
‘Epilogue’
In this long final number, Valjean is found alone, praying for happiness for Cosette upon the occasion of her wedding. He’s fading from life, with nothing left to live for. Fantine appears to him, to thank him for raising her child. He lives long enough for Marius and Cosette to find him, but despite her entreaties for him to cling to life, Fantine and Eponine guide him towards rest. As he dies, the revolutionaries also appear, giving a reprise of ‘Do You Hear The People Sing?’ to close out the show.
Key lyric: “Come with me/Where chains will never bind you/All your grief/At last, at last behind you”
Les Misérables is currently playing at the Cambridge Theatre – find tickets here
