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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, which Marius asks her to deliver because he’s afraid she might get hurt by the impending attack. 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!"
Gallery[]
.jpg "JVJLetter (1).jpg (39 KB)")
.jpg "JVJLetter (2).jpg (23 KB)")
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."