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| "The Robbery" or "Javert's Intervention" | |
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| Composer | |
| Lyricist | |
| Performers |
Éponine |
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"The Robbery" or "Javert's Intervention" is a lesser-known song from the musical. During the song, Thénardier attempts to rob Jean Valjean. Whereupon realizing Valjean is the one who took Cosette, a brawl breaks out. Éponine cries out as Javert arrives on the scene, but with Javert not recognizing Valjean, the latter escapes. Thénardier convinces Javert to let him go and pursue Valjean instead.
The lyrics were written by Herbert Kretzmer.
The song is known as "Donnez, donnez" (along with "Look Down") in the original French production and "El robo/La intervención de Javert" in the Spanish production.
Lyrics[]
[Thénardier assembling his gang.]
Thénardier:
Everyone here, you know your place
Brujon, Babet, Claqusous
You, Montparnasse, watch for the law
With Éponine, take care.
You turn on the tears
No mistakes, my dears
Mme. Thénardier:
These bloody students on our street
Here they come slumming once again
Our Éponine would kiss their feet
She never had a scrap of brain
Marius:
Hey Éponine, what's up today?
I haven't seen you much about.
Éponine:
Here, you can always catch me in.
Marius:
Mind the police don't catch you out!
[Éponine grabs Marius' books.]
Éponine:
Here, whatcher doing with all them books?
I could have been a student too!
Don't judge a girl on how she looks
I know a lot of things I do!
Marius:
Poor Éponine, the things you know
You wouldn't find in books like these.
Éponine:
I like the way you grow your hair.
Marius:
I like the way you always tease.
Éponine:
[To herself] Little he knows!
Little he sees!
[Valjean arrives with Cosette.]
Mme. Thénardier:
[To Éponine] Here's the old boy.
Stay on the job
And watch out for the law.
Éponine:
[To Marius] Stay out of this.
Marius:
But Éponine...
Éponine:
You'll be in trouble here
It's not your concern
You'll be in the clear
[Marius sees Valjean.]
Marius:
Who is that man?
Éponine:
[Running away] Leave me alone!
Marius:
Why is he here? Hey, Éponine!
[He begins to run after her, and bumps into Cosette. Éponine sees this.]
I didn't see you there, forgive me.
Thénardier:
Please M'sieur, come this way
Here's a child that ain't eaten today.
Save a life, spare a sou
God rewards all the good that you do.
Wait a bit. Know that face.
Ain't the world a remarkable place?
Men like me don't forget
You're the bastard that borrowed Cosette!
[Thénardier grabs Valjean and rips open his shirt, revealing the number on his chest. His gang keeps hold of Valjean. Marius protects Cosette.]
Valjean:
What is this? Are you mad?
No, M'sieur, you don't know what you do!
Thénardier:
You know me, you know me.
I'm a con, just like you.
Éponine:
It's the police! Disappear!
Run for it! It's Javert!
[Javert arrives and the fight ceases. Valjean picks himself up and looks for Cosette, who is with Marius.]
Javert:
Another brawl in the square
Another stink in the air!
Was there a witness to this?
Well, let him speak to Javert!
M'sieur, the streets are not safe,
But let these vermin beware
We'll see that justice is done!
Look upon this fine collection
Crawled from underneath a stone
This swarm of worms and maggots
Could have picked you to the bone!
I know this man over here
I know his name and his trade
And on your witness, M'sieur,
We'll see him suitably paid.
[Valjean and Cosette have disappeared.]
But where's the gentleman gone?
And why on earth did he run?
Thénardier:
You will have a job to catch him
He's the one you should arrest
No more bourgeois when you scratch him
Than that brand upon his chest!
Javert:
Could it be he's some old jailbird
That the tide now washes in
Heard my name and started running
Had the brand upon his skin
And the girl who stood beside him
When I turned they both had gone
Could he be the man I've hunted?
Could it be he's Jean Valjean?
Thénardier:
In the absence of a victim,
Dear Inspector, may I go?
And remember when you've nicked him,
It was me who told you so!
Javert:
Let the old man keep on running
I will run him off his feet!
Everyone about your business
Clear this garbage off the street!
2012 Film Version[]
Éponine
Hey there monsieur,
What’s new with you?
Planning to overthrow the state?
You still pretending to be poor?
Come on, I know your Grandpa’s rich
Marius
Won’t take a franc that I’ve not earned,
All of those bridges have been burned
Éponine
I like the way you talk, monsieur
Marius
I like the way you always tease!
Éponine
Little he knows, little he sees
[Scene changes to a bustling street where the Thénardiers are situated]
[Marius and Cosette see and stare at each other]
Thénardier
Éponine!
Everyone here
You know your place
Brujon, Babet, Claquesous
You Montparnasse
Watch for the law with Eponine
Take care!
You turn on the tears,
No mistakes my dear
Please, monsieur, come this way
Here’s a child that ain’t eaten today
Save a life, spare a sou
God rewards all the good that you do
Madame Thénardier
Wait a bit…
Know that face!
Ain’t the world a remarkable place!
Thénardier
Men like me, don’t forget
You’re the bastard that borrowed Colette!
Madame Thénardier
Cosette!
Thénardier
Whatever.
Valjean
What is this? Are you mad?
No monsieur, you don’t know what you say!
Thénardier
You know me, I know you!
Madame Thénardier
And you’ll pay what we’re due!
Thénardier
And you’d better dig deep
Madame Thénardier
‘Cause she doesn’t come cheap!
Thénardier
Babet, Brujon!
Éponine
It’s the police, disappear!
Run for it, it’s Javert!
[Javert arrives and the fight immediately ceases. Jean Valjean holds Cosette tightly, in fear of Javert recognizing them]
Javert
Another brawl in the square
Another stink in the air!
Was there a witness to this?
Well, let him speak to Javert!
Monsieur, the streets are not safe,
But let these vermin beware
We will see that justice is done!
Look upon this fine collection
Crawled from underneath a stone
This swarm of worms and maggots,
Could have picked you to the bone!
I know this man over here,
I know his name and his trade
And on your witness monsieur,
We’ll see him suitably paid
[Valjean and Cosette have disappeared]
But where’s the gentlemen gone?
And why on earth did he run?
Thénardier
You will have a job to find him
He’s not all he seems to be.
And that girl who trails behind him,
Is the child… he stole from me
Madame Thénardier
Yeah, and me!
Thenardier
Yeah, both of us.
Javert
Could it be he’s that old jailbird,
That the tide now washes in,
Heard my name and started running,
All the omens point to him!
Thénardier
In the absence, of a victim,
Dear inspector, may I go?
And remember, when you’ve nicked him,
It was me who told you so.
Javert
Let the old man keep on running,
I will run him off his feet,
Everyone about your business,
Clear this garbage of the street!
Trivia[]
- This song doesn't appear in 10th anniversary concert version.
- The 2012 movie version features Gavroche being held by Inspector Javert.
- Part of the song picks up the melody of The Bargain / The Thénardier Waltz of Treachery. Javert uses the tune used in various police scenes.
Videos[]
Les Misérables Live! (The 2010 Cast Album) - 15. The Robbery
Les Misérables Live! (The 2010 Cast Album) - The Robbery
Les Miserables - 18 - The Robbery Javert's Intervention