Red And Black (the Abc Cafe) Lyrics - Les Miserables

[The ABC Cafe, where the students, led by Enjolras, meet to discuss their revolutionary plans.] 

Combeferre: 

At Notre Dame 

The sections are prepared! 

Feuilly: 

At Rue de Bac 

They're straining at the leash! 

Courfeyrac: 

Students, workers, everyone 

There's a river on the run 

Like the flowing of the tide 

Paris coming to our side! 

Enjolras: 

The time is near... 

So near.. it's stirring the blood in their veins! 

And yet beware... 

Don't let the wine go to your brains! 

For the army we fight is a dangerous foe 

With the men and the arms that we never can match 

Oh, it's easy to sit here and swat 'em like flies 

But the national guard will be harder to catch. 

We need a sign 

To rally the people 

To call them to arms 

To bring them in line! 

[Marius enters.] 

Marius, you're late. 

Joly: 

What's wrong today? 

You look as if you've seen a ghost. 

Grantaire: 

Some wine and say what's going on! 

Marius: 

A ghost you say... a ghost maybe 

She was just like a ghost to me 

One minute there, then she was gone! 

Grantaire: 

I am agog! 

I am aghast! 

Is Marius in love at last? 

I have never heard him `ooh' and `aah' 

You talk of battles to be won 

But here he comes like Don Ju-an 

It's better than an opera! 

Enjolras: 

It is time for us all 

To decide who we are... 

Do we fight for the right 

To a night at the opera now? 

Have you asked of yourselves 

What's the price you might pay? 

Is it simply a game 

For rich young boys to play? 

The colors of the world 

Are changing 

Day by day... 

Red - the blood of angry men! 

Black - the dark of ages past! 

Red - a world about to dawn! 

Black - the night that ends at last! 

Marius: 

Had you been there tonight 

You might know how it feels 

To be struck to the bone 

In a moment of breathless delight! 

Had you been there tonight 

You might also have known 

How the world may be changed 

In just one burst of light! 

And what was right 

Seems wrong 

And what was wrong 

Seems right... 

Grantaire: [mocking...] 

Red... 

Marius: 

I feel my soul on fire! 

Grantaire: 

Black... 

Marius: 

My world if she's not there... 

All: 

Red... 

Marius: 

The color of desire! 

All: 

Black... 

Marius: 

The color of despair! 

Enjolras: 

Marius, you're no longer a child 

I do not doubt you mean it well 

But now there is a higher call 

Who cares about your lonely soul 

We strive toward a larger goal 

Our little lives don't count at all! 

All: 

Red - the blood of angry men! 

Black - the dark of ages past! 

Red - a world about to dawn! 

Black - the night that ends at last! 

Enjolras: 

Well, Courfeyrac, do we have all the guns? 

Feuilly, Combeferre, our time is running short. 

Gavroche: 

Listen! 

Enjolras: 

Grantaire, put the bottle down! 

Do we have the guns we need? 

Gavroche: 

Listen to me! 

Grantaire: 

Give me brandy on my breath 

And I'll breathe 'em all to death! 

Gavroche: 

Listen everybody! 

Listen up! 

Gavroche: 

General Lamarque 

Is dead! 

Enjolras: 

Lamarque is dead... 

Lamarque! His death is the hour of fate. 

The people's man... 

His death is the sign we await! 

On his funeral day they will honor his name. 

With the light of rebellion, ablaze in their eyes. 

From the candles of grief we will kindle our flame! 

On the tomb of Lamarque shall the barricade rise! 

The time is here! 

Let us welcome it gladly with courage and cheer 

Let us take to the streets with no doubt in our hearts 

But a jubilant shout 

They will come one and all 

They will come when we call!