The Runaway Cart Lyrics

The Runaway Cart lyrics

[The crowd parts to reveal that the cart has crashed,

 trapping M. Fauchelevant.]

 

 Voices

 Look at that!

 Look at that!

 It's Monsieur Fauchelevant!

 Don't approach! Don't go near!

 At the risk of your life!

 He is caught by the wheel!

 Oh, the pitiful man.

 Stay away, turn away,

 There is nothing to do..

 There is nothing to do..

 

 Valjean

 Is there anyone here

 Who will rescue the man?

 Who will help me to shoulder

 The weight of the cart?

 

 Voices

 Don't go near him, Mr. Mayor

 The load is heavy as hell

 The old man's a goner for sure

 It'll kill you as well.

 

 [Valjean attempts to lift the cart. They manage to pull

 Fauchelevant clear.]

 

 Fauchelevant

 M'sieur le Mayor, I have no words

 You come from God, you are a saint.

 

 [Javert takes Valjean aside.]

 

 Javert

 Can this be true?

 I don't believe what I see!

 A man your age

 To be as strong as you are...

 A memory stirs..

 You make me think of a man

 From years ago

 A man who broke his parole

 He disappeared

 Forgive me, Sir,

 I would not dare!

 

 Valjean

 Say what you must, don't leave it there.

 

 Javert

 I have only known one other

 Who can do what you have done

 He's a convict from the chain gang

 He's been ten years on the run

 But he couldn't run forever

 We have found his hideaway

 And he's just been re-arrested

 And he comes to court today.

 Of course he now denies it

 You'd expect that of a con

 But he couldn't run forever,

 No, not even Jean Valjean!

 

 Valjean

 You say this man denies it all

 And gives no sign of understanding or repentance?

 You say this man is going to trial

 And that's he's sure to be returned

 To serve his sentence?

 Come to that, can you be sure,

 That I am not your man?

 

 Javert

 I have known the thief for ages

 Tracked him down through thick and thin

 And to make the matter certain

 There's the brand upon his skin

 He will bend, he will break

 This time there is no mistake.

 

 [Javert leaves, Valjean is alone.]