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| "Upon These Stones" | |
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| Composer | |
| Lyricist | |
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Enjolras |
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"Building the Barricade / Upon These Stones" is the entr'acte of the musical and features a new music theme, which transitions into Éponine's appearance at the barricade, and her sung dialogue with Marius and later with Valjean as she passes to him a letter from Marius intended for Cosette. It is often cut out of recordings in part or completely. On the Complete Symphonic Recording, this song is mislabeled "At the Barricade."
Lyrics[]
[Enjolras is speaking to the revolutionaries.]
Enjolras:
Here upon these stones
We will build our barricade,
In the heart of the city
We claim as our own!
Each man to his duty
And don't be afraid.
Wait! I will need a report
On the strength of the foe
[Javert appears disguised as a rebel.]
Javert:
I can find out the truth
I know their ways
Fought their wars
Served my time
In the days
Of my youth.
Prouvaire:
Now the people will fight.
Grantaire:
And so they might
Dogs will bark
Fleas will bite.
Lesgle:
They will do what is right!
[Marius sees Éponine who is dressed as a boy.]
Marius:
Hey, little boy, who's this I see?
God, Éponine, the things you do!
Éponine:
I know this is no place for me
Still I would rather be with you!
Marius:
Get out before the trouble starts.
Get out, 'Ponine, you might get shot!
Éponine:
I got you worried now, I have
That shows you like me quite a lot!
Marius:
There is a way that you can help
You are the answer to a prayer!
Please take this letter to Cosette
And pray to God that she's still there!
[Marius leaves.]
Éponine:
Little you know!
Little you care!
[She walks to the Rue Plumet and climbs over the gates, but is seen by Valjean.]
Éponine:
I have a letter, M'sieur
It's addressed to your daughter, Cosette.
It's from a boy at the barricade, sir,
In the Rue de Villette.
Valjean:
Give me that letter here, my boy.
Éponine:
He said to give it to Cosette.
Valjean:
You have my word that my daughter will know
What this letter contains.
Tell the young man she will read it tomorrow.
And here's for your pains.
[Valjean gives Éponine some money.]
Go careful now.
Stay out of sight.
There's danger in the streets tonight!
[Valjean lets Éponine out and reads the letter.]
"Dearest Cosette, you have entered my soul
And soon you will be gone.
Can it be only a day since we met
And the world was reborn?
If I should fall in the battle to come
Let this be my goodbye...
Now that I know that you love me as well
It is harder to die...
I pray that God will bring me home
To be with you.
Pray for your Marius.
He prays for you!"
Trivia[]
- In the 2012 movie, lyrics are little changed:
Prouvaire:
See, the people unite!
Grantaire:
I pray you're right.
Combeferre:
Dogs will bark
Gavroche:
Fleas will bite.
Lesgle:
They will do what is right!
- During the 2012 film, Eponine doesn't deliver the letter like in the play versions. Gavroche delivers the letter after "A Little Fall of Rain"
- At the beginning of this number, Enjolras following lines:
Here upon these stones
We will build our barricade,
In the heart of the city
We claim as our own!
Each man to his duty
And don't be afraid.
Wait! I will need a report
On the strength of the foe
Are cut. Instead Enjolras says: "I need a volunteer. Someone who can find out about their plan and when they will attack."