The How I Met Your Mother Blog

This is a little old but that doesn’t make it any less awesome.

For those who aren’t familiar with the piece, this is a song from Les Miserables. The two intended performers of the song are the escaped prisoner Jean val Jean and his pursuing officer Javert. Val Jean has just admitted his guilt but is pleading to not be taken to jail as he has just promised a woman that he will watch after her child. Javert doesn’t trust him and a lyrical scuffle ensues. It’s an awesome song from an awesome musical.

Here are the lyrics with the portion they sing in bold. Marshall has the Val Jean part and Barney is singing as Javert.

[JAVERT]
Val Jean, at last,
We see each other plain
‘M’sieur le Mayor,’
You’ll wear a different chain!

[VAL JEAN]
Before you say another word, Javert
Before you chain me up like a slave again
Listen to me! There is something I must do.
This woman leaves behind a suffering child.
There is none but me who can intercede,
In Mercy’s name, three days are all I need.
Then I’ll return, I pledge my word.
Then I’ll return…

[JAVERT]
You must think me mad!
I’ve hunted you across the years
A man like you can never change
A man such as you.

[VAL JEAN (in counterpoint)]
Believe of me what you will
There is a duty that I’m sworn to do
You know nothing of my life
All I did was steal some bread
You know nothing of the world
You would sooner see me dead
But not before I see this justice
done
I am warning you Javert
I’m a stronger man by far
There is power in me yet
My race is not yet run
I am warning you Javert
There is nothing I won’t dare
If I have to kill you here
I’ll do what must be done!

[JAVERT (in counterpoint)]
Men like me can never change
Men like you can never change
No,
24601
My duty’s to the law — you have no
Rights
Come with me 24601
Now the wheel has turned around
Jean Val Jean is nothing now
Dare you talk to me of crime
And the price you had to pay
Every man is born in sin
Every man must choose his way
You know nothing of Javert
I was born inside a jail
I was born with scum like you
I am from the gutter too!

[Val Jean breaks a chair and threatens Javert with the broken piece. Turns to Fantine]

[VAL JEAN]
[to Fantine] And this I swear to you tonight

[JAVERT]
[to Val Jean] There is no place for you to hide

[VAL JEAN]
Your child will live within my care

[JAVERT]
Wherever you may hide away

[VAL JEAN]
And I will raise her to the light.

[VAL JEAN AND JAVERT]
I swear to you, I will be there!

[They fight, Javert is knocked out. Val Jean escapes]

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!