The Confrontation - Les Misérables - 10th Anniversary Concert

"The Confrontation" performed by Colm Wilkinson as Jean Valjean and Philip Quast as Inspector Javert for the Les Misérables 10th Anniversary Concert at London's Royal Albert Hall, 8th October 1995.
Music by Claude-Michel Schönberg. Lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer. Libretto by Alain Boublil based on the novel by Victor Hugo.

Valjean, at last

We see each other plain

M'sieur le Mayor

You'll wear a different chain!

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...

You must think me mad!

I've hunted you across the years

A man like you can never change

A man such as you.

- Believe of me, what you will
- Men like me can never change

- There is a duty that I'm sworn to do
- Men like you can never changed

- You know nothing of my life
- No, 24601

- All I did was steal some bread
- My duty's to the law

- You know nothing of the world
- You have no rights

- You would sooner see me dead
- Come with me, 24601

- But not before I see this justice done
- Now the wheel has turned around

Jean Valjean is nothing now

- I am warning you, Javert
- Dare you talk to me of crime

- I'm a stronger man by far
- And the price you had to pay

- There is power in me yet
- Every man is born in sin

- My race is not yet run
- Every man must choose his way

- I am warning you, Javert
- You know nothing of Javert

- There is nothing I won't dare
- I was born inside a jail

- lf I have to kill you here
- I was born with scum like you

- I'll do what must be done
- I am from the gutter too!

And this I swear to you tonight

There is no place for you to hide

Your child will live within my care

Wherever you may hide away

And I will raise her to the light.

I swear to you, I will be there!