The Runaway Cart Lyrics

     [The crowd parts to reveal that the cart has crashed,
     trapping M. Fauchelevant.]

Voices
     Look at that!
     Look at that!
     It's Monsieur Fauchelevant!
     Don't approach!  Don't go near!
     At the risk of your life!
     He is caught by the wheel!
     Oh, the pitiful man.
     Stay away, turn away,
     There is nothing to do..
     There is nothing to do..

Valjean
     Is there anyone here
     Who will rescue the man?
     Who will help me to shoulder
     The weight of the cart?

Voices
     Don't go near him, Mr. Mayor
     The load is heavy as hell
     The old man's a goner for sure
     It'll kill you as well.

     [Valjean attempts to lift the cart. They manage to pull
     Fauchelevant clear.]

Fauchelevant
     M'sieur le Mayor, I have no words
     You come from God, you are a saint.

     [Javert takes Valjean aside.]

Javert
     Can this be true?
     I don't believe what I see!
     A man your age
     To be as strong as you are...
     A memory stirs..
     You make me think of a man
     From years ago
     A man who broke his parole
     He disappeared
     Forgive me, Sir,
     I would not dare!

Valjean
     Say what you must, don't leave it there.

Javert
     I have only known one other
     Who can do what you have done
     He's a convict from the chain gang
     He's been ten years on the run
     But he couldn't run forever
     We have found his hideaway
     And he's just been re-arrested
     And he comes to court today.
     Of course he now denies it
     You'd expect that of a con
     But he couldn't run forever,
     No, not even Jean Valjean!

Valjean
     You say this man denies it all
     And gives no sign of understanding or repentance?
     You say this man is going to trial
     And that's he's sure to be returned
     To serve his sentence?
     Come to that, can you be sure,
     That I am not your man?

Javert
     I have known the thief for ages
     Tracked him down through thick and thin
     And to make the matter certain
     There's the brand upon his skin
     He will bend, he will break
     This time there is no mistake.

     [Javert leaves, Valjean is alone.]