At The End Of The Day Lyrics

At The End Of The Day lyrics

[1823, Montreuil-sur-Mer.  Outside the factory, owned by

     the Mayor, Monsieur Madeleine (Valjean in disguise).]



The Poor

     At the end of the day you're another day older

     And that's all you can say for the life of the poor

     It's a struggle, it's a war

     And there's nothing that anyone's giving

     One more day, standing about, what is it for?

     One day less to be living.

     At the end of the day you're another day colder

     And the shirt on your back doesn't keep out the chill

     And the righteous hurry past

     They don't hear the little ones crying

     And the winder is coming on fast, ready to kill

     One day nearer to dying!

     At the end of the day there's another day dawning

     And the sun in the morning is waiting to rise

     Like the waves crash on the sand

     Like a storm that'll break any second

     There's a hunger in the land

     There's a reckoning still to be reckoned

     And there's gonna be hell to pay

     At the end of the day!



     [The foreman and workers, including Fantine, emerge.]



Foreman

     At the end of the day you get nothing for nothing

     Sitting flat on your butt doesn't buy any bread



Workers

     There are children back at home

     And the children have got to be fed

     And you're lucky to be in a job

     And in a bed!

     And we're counting our blessings!



Women

     Have you seen how the foreman is fuming today?

     With his terrible breath and his wandering hands?

     It's because little Fantine won't give him his way

     Take a look at his trousers, you'll see where he stands!

     And the boss, he never knows

     That the foreman is always in heat

     If Fantine doesn't look out

     Watch how she goes

     She'll be out on the street!



Workers

     At the end of the day it's another day over

     With enough in your pocket to last for a week

     Pay the landlord pay the shop

     Keep on grafting as long as you're able

     Keep on grafting till you drop

     Or it's back to the crumbs on the table

     You've got to pay your way

     At the end of the day!



Girl

     What have we here, little innocent sister?

     Come on Fantine, let's have all the news!



     [She grabs the letter from Fantine.]



     "Dear Fantine you must send us more money...

     Your child needs a doctor...

     There's no time to lose!"



Fantine

     Give that letter to me

     It is none of your business

     With a husband at home

     And a bit on the side

     Is there anyone here

     Who can swear before God

     She has nothing to fear?

     She has nothing to hide?



     [They fight over the letter.  Valjean rushes over to

     break up the squabble.]



Valjean (as M. Madeleine)

     What is this fighting all about?

     Will someone tear these two apart?

     This is a factory, not a circus!

     Now come on ladies, settle down

     I run a business of repute

     I am the Mayor of this town



     [To the foreman...]



     I look to you to sort this out

     And be as patient as you can---



     [He goes back into the factory.]



Foreman

     Now someone say how this began!



Girl

     At the end of the day she's the one who began it

     There's a kid that she's hiding in some little town

     There's a man she has to pay

     You can guess how she picks up the extra

     You can bet she's earning her keep sleeping around

     And the boss wouldn't like it!



Fantine

     Yes it's true there's a child

     And the child is my daughter

     And her father abandoned us leaving us flat

     Now she lives with an innkeeper man and his wife

     And I pay for the child

     What's the matter with that??



Women

     At the end of the day she'll be nothing but trouble

     And there's trouble for all when there's trouble for one

     While we're earning our daily bread

     She's the one with her hands in the butter

     You must send the slut away

     Or we're all gonna end in the gutter

     And it's us who'll have to pay

     At the end of the day!



Foreman

     I might have known the bitch could bite

     I might have known the cat had claws

     I might have guessed your little secret

     Ah, yes, the virtuous Fantine

     Who keeps herself so pure and clean

     You'd be the cause I had no doubt

     Of any trouble hereabout

     You play a virgin in the light

     But need no urgin' in the night.



Girl

     She's been laughing at you

     While she's having her men



Women

     She'll be nothing but trouble again and again



Workers

     You must sack her today

     Sack the girl today!



Foreman

     Right my girl!

     On your way