Fantine`s Arrest Lyrics

Fantine`s Arrest lyrics

[Bamatabois is a well dressed gentleman.]

 

 Bamatabois

 Here's something new, I think I'll give it a try.

 Come closer you! I like to see what I buy

 The usual price, for just a slice of your pie

 

 Fantine

 I don't want you, no, no, m'sieur, let me go.

 

 Bamatabois

 Is this a trick? I won't pay more!

 

 Fantine

 No, not at all.

 

 Bamatabois

 You've got some nerve, you little whore

 You've got some gall.

 It's the same with a tart as it is with a grocer

 The customer sees what he gets in advance

 It's not for the whore to say 'yes sir' or 'no sir'

 It's not for the harlot to pick and to choose

 Or lead me to a dance!

 

 [He hits her with his stick, she claws at his face,

 drawing blood.]

 

 Fantine

 I'll kill you, you bastard, try any of that!

 Even a whore who has gone to the bad

 Won't be had by a rat!

 

 Bamatabois

 By Christ you'll pay for what you have done

 This rat will make you bleed, you'll see!

 I guarantee, I'll make you suffer

 For this disturbance of the peace

 For this insult to life and property!

 

 Fantine

 I beg you, don't report me sir

 I'll do whatever you may want

 

 Bamatabois

 Make your excuse to the police!

 

 [Javert enters, accompanied by constables.]

 

 Javert

 Tell me quickly what's the story

 Who saw what and why and where

 Let him give a full description

 Let him answer to Javert!

 In this nest of whores and vipers

 Let one speak who saw it all

 Who laid hands on this good man here?

 What's the substance of this brawl?

 

 Bamatabois

 Javert, would you belive it

 I was crossing from the park

 When this prostitute attacked me

 You can see she left her mark

 

 Javert

 She will answer for her actions

 When you make a full report

 You may rest assured, M'sieur,

 That she will answer to the court.

 

 Fantine

 There's a child who sorely needs me

 

 Please M'sieur, she's but that high

 Holy God, is there no mercy?

 If I go to jail she'll die!

 

 Javert

 I have heard such protestations

 Every day for twenty years

 Let's have no more explanations

 Save your breath and save your tears

 Honest work, just reward,

 That's the way to please the Lord.

 

 [Fantine gives a last despairing cry as she is arrested.

 Valjean emerges from the crowd.]

 

 Valjean

 A moment of your time, Javert

 I do believe this woman's tale

 

 Javert

 But M'sieur Mayor!

 

 Valjean

 You've done your duty

 Let her be

 She needs a doctor, not a jail.

 

 Javert

 But M'sieur Mayor!

 

 Fantine

 Can this be?

 

 Valjean

 Where will she end -

 This child without a friend?

 

 I've seen your face before

 Show me some way to help you

 How have you come to grief

 In a place such as this?

 

 Fantine

 M'sieur, don't mock me now, I pray

 It's hard enough I've lost my pride

 You let your foreman send me away

 Yes, you were there, and turned aside

 I never did no wrong

 

 Valjean Fantine

 Is it true, what I have done? My daughter's close to dying

 To an innocent soul? If there's a God above

 Had I only known then... He'd let me die instead

 

 Valjean

 In His name my task has just begun

 I will see it done!

 I will see it done!

 

 Javert

 But M'sieur Mayor!

 

 Valjean

 I will see it done!

 

 Javert

 But M'sieur Mayor!

 

 Voices

 Look out! It's a runaway cart!