The First Attack Lyrics - Les Miserables (1987 Original Broadway Cast) - Alain Boublil

(Enjolras gives Valjean a gun.) 

Enjolras 

Take this and use it well! 

But if you shoot us in the back, 

You'll never live to tell. 

Random Voices 

Platoon of sappers advancing toward the barricade! 

Troops behind them, fifty men or more! 

Enjolras 

FIRE! 

(Gunfire is heard.) 

Feuilly 

Sniper! 

(Valjean shoots a sniper who is aiming at Enjolras.) 

Lesgles 

See how they run away! 

Grantaire 

By God we've won the day! 

Enjolras 

They will be back again, 

Make an attack again. 

(To Valjean.) 

For your presence of mind 

For the deed you have done 

I will thank you M'sieur 

When our battle is won. 

Valjean 

Give me no thanks M'sieur 

There is something that you can do. 

Enjolras 

If it is in my power... 

Valjean 

Give me the spy Javert 

Let me take care of him 

Javert 

The law is inside out 

The world is upside down 

Enjolras 

Do what you have to do, 

The man belongs to you. 

The enemy may be regrouping. Hold yourself in readiness. 

Come my friends, back to your positions. 

The night is falling fast... 

(Valjean has taken Javert away.) 

Valjean 

We meet again. 

Javert 

You've hungered for this all your life; 

Take your revenge! 

How right you should kill with a knife! 

(Valjean cuts the ropes which bind Javert.) 

Valjean 

You talk too much, 

Your life is safe in my hands. 

Javert 

I don't understand 

Valjean 

Get out of here. 

Javert 

Valjean, take care, 

I'm warning you... 

Valjean 

Clear out of here. 

Javert 

Once a thief, forever a thief 

What you want you always steal! 

You would trade your life for mine. 

Yes, Valjean, you want a deal. 

Shoot me now for all I care! 

If you let me go beware. 

You'll still answer to Javert! 

Valjean 

You are wrong, and always have been wrong. 

I'm a man, no worse than any man. 

You are free, and there are no conditions, 

No bargains or petitions. 

There's nothing that I blame you for. 

You've done your duty, nothing more. 

If I come out of this alive, you'll find me 

At number fifty-five Rue Plumet 

No doubt our paths will cross again. 

(Valjean fires his gun into the air, Javert leaves quickly. 

Muted applause from the students who think Javert has been shot.) 

Enjolras 

Courfeyrac, you take the watch 

They won't attack until it's light 

Everybody stay awake 

We must be ready for the fight 

For the final fight 

Let no one sleep tonight!