Lied Des Volkes lyrics

[Javert and constables break up the fight. 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?
Thenardier
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!
[The constables search for Valjean.]
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?
Thenardier
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!