Wedding Chorale/Beggars at the Feast

(Marius and Cosette lead a wedding procession)

CHORUS

Ring out the bells

Upon this day of days!

May all the angels

Of the Lord above

In jubilation

Sing their songs of praise!

And crown this

Blessed time with

Peace and love.

(The procession becomes a dancing celebration. A waltz is played)

BEGGARS AT THE FEAST

THENARDIER

Ain't it a laugh

Ain't it a treat?

Hob-nobbin' here

Among the elite?

Here comes a prince

There goes a Jew.

This one's a queer

But what can you do?

Paris at my feet

Paris in the dust

And here's me breaking bread

With the upper crust!

Beggar at the feast!

Master of the dance!

Life is easy pickings

If you grab your chance.

Everywhere you go

Law-abiding folk

Doing what is decent

But they're mostly broke!

Singing to the Lord on Sundays

Praying for the gifts He'll send.

M. & MME. THENARDIER

But we're the ones who take it

We're the ones who make it in the end!

Watch the buggers dance

Watch 'em till they drop

Keep your wits about you

And you stand on top!

Masters of the land

Always get our share

Clear away the barricades

And we're still there!

We know where the wind is blowing

Money is the stuff we smell.

And when we're rich as Croesus

Jesus! Won't we see you all in hell!