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"Javert's Arrival"
Javert's Arrival
Information
Composer

Claude-Michel Schönberg

Lyricist

Herbert Kretzmer

Performers

Enjolras
Javert
Les Amis de l'ABC

Song Order
Previous

"At the Barricade / Upon These Stones"

Next

"Little People"

"Javert's Arrival" or "Javert's Return" involves Javert's return to the barricade to report on the enemy's plans; however, he is interrupted by Gavroche's exposing him as a spy in "Little People."

The lyrics were written by Herbert Kretzmer.

Lyrics [10th Anniversary Edition][]

[Javert climbs over the barricade.]
 
Javert:
Listen my friends
I have done as I said
I have been to their lines
I have counted each man
I will tell what I can
Better be warned
They have armies to spare
And our danger is real
We will need all our cunning
To bring them to heel.
 
Enjolras:
Have faith
If you know what their movements are
We'll spoil their game
There are ways that a people can fight
We shall overcome their power.
 
Javert:
I have overheard their plans
There will be no attack tonight
They intend to starve us out
Before they start a proper fight
Concentrate their force
Hit us from the right.

Gavroche:
[Spoken, to Javert] Liar!

[Singing] Good evening, dear inspector
Lovely evening, my dear.
I know this man, my friends
His name is Inspector Javert
So don't believe a word he says
'Cause none of it's true
This only goes to show
What little people can do!

And little people know
When little people fight
We may look easy pickings
But we've got some bite
So never kick a dog
Because he's just a pup
We'll fight like twenty armies
And we won't give up
So you'd better run for cover
When the pup grows up!

Grantaire:
Bravo, little Gavroche, you're the top of the class!

Prouvaire:
So what are we going to do
With this snake in the grass?

Enjolras:
Tie this man and take him
To the tavern in there
The people will decide your fate
Inspector Javert!

Various Students:
Take the bastard now and shoot him!
Let us watch the devil dance
You'd have done the same Inspector
If we'd let you have your chance!

Enjolras:
Take this man, bring him through
There is work we have to do!

[Javert is bundled away.]

Trivia[]

For the 2012 flim: Army Officer: [Off-stage, with a loud-hailer.] You at the barricade listen to this! No one is coming to help you to fight! You're on your own You have no friends Give up your guns - or die!

Enjolras: Damn their warnings. Damn their lies! They will see the people rise! Students: Damn their warnings. Damn their lies! They will see the people rise!

Is cut. One of the cast members says "He's back." When Javert returns

at the beginning, when it says hit us from the right, it is actually hit us when it's light and better be warned is better beware

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