ENJOLRAS
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!
When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes!
COMBEFERRE
Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?
COURFEYRAC:
Then join in the fight
That will give you the right to be free!
ALL
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!
When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes!
FEUILLY
Will you give all you can give
So that our banner may advance
Some will fall and some will live
Will you stand up and take your chance?
The blood of the martyrs
Will water the meadows of France!
ALL
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!
When the beating of your heart
Echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start
When tomorrow comes!
Admit it, whenever you hear this song, you get goosebumps on your arms (same with the finale, but that's not what we're talking about here). Directly before this song, the general that all of the people fighting against the government was announced to be dead by the most awesome kid character in the world of musicals 'listen! Listen to me! LISTEN EVERYBODY! General Lamarque is dead!' But Enjolras steps up and rallys the people. It pops into my head every time I hear about some sort of rebellion.
The people are incredibly strong in this song, fighting to be free at last whatever the cost may be. This has got to be my absolute favorite ensemble number in the entire show (Look Down is a close second. I don't like 'Red and Black' only because Marius is whining about Cosette the entire time and it gets annoying after the first 3 listens). The music of a people who will not be slaves again- it conjures up so many amazing ideas and events, at least for me.
So, what do you all think? Bring on the comments, they're always appreciated.
