Red And Black (the Abc Cafe)

[The ABC Cafe, where the students, led by Enjolras, meet to discuss their revolutionary plans.]

Combeferre:
At Notre Dame
The sections are prepared!

Feuilly:
At Rue de Bac
They're straining at the leash!

Courfeyrac:
Students, workers, everyone
There's a river on the run
Like the flowing of the tide
Paris coming to our side!

Enjolras:
The time is near...
So near.. it's stirring the blood in their veins!
And yet beware...
Don't let the wine go to your brains!
For the army we fight is a dangerous foe
With the men and the arms that we never can match
Oh, it's easy to sit here and swat 'em like flies
But the national guard will be harder to catch.
We need a sign
To rally the people
To call them to arms
To bring them in line!

[Marius enters.]

Marius, you're late.

Joly:
What's wrong today?
You look as if you've seen a ghost.

Grantaire:
Some wine and say what's going on!

Marius:
A ghost you say... a ghost maybe
She was just like a ghost to me
One minute there, then she was gone!

Grantaire:
I am agog!
I am aghast!
Is Marius in love at last?
I have never heard him `ooh' and `aah'
You talk of battles to be won
But here he comes like Don Ju-an
It's better than an opera!

Enjolras:
It is time for us all
To decide who we are...
Do we fight for the right
To a night at the opera now?
Have you asked of yourselves
What's the price you might pay?
Is it simply a game
For rich young boys to play?
The colors of the world
Are changing
Day by day...
Red - the blood of angry men!
Black - the dark of ages past!
Red - a world about to dawn!
Black - the night that ends at last!

Marius:
Had you been there tonight
You might know how it feels
To be struck to the bone
In a moment of breathless delight!
Had you been there tonight
You might also have known
How the world may be changed
In just one burst of light!
And what was right
Seems wrong
And what was wrong
Seems right...

Grantaire: [mocking...]
Red...

Marius:
I feel my soul on fire!

Grantaire:
Black...

Marius:
My world if she's not there...

All:
Red...

Marius:
The color of desire!

All:
Black...

Marius:
The color of despair!

Enjolras:
Marius, you're no longer a child
I do not doubt you mean it well
But now there is a higher call
Who cares about your lonely soul
We strive toward a larger goal
Our little lives don't count at all!

All:
Red - the blood of angry men!
Black - the dark of ages past!
Red - a world about to dawn!
Black - the night that ends at last!

Enjolras:
Well, Courfeyrac, do we have all the guns?
Feuilly, Combeferre, our time is running short.

Gavroche:
Listen!

Enjolras:
Grantaire, put the bottle down!
Do we have the guns we need?

Gavroche:
Listen to me!

Grantaire:
Give me brandy on my breath
And I'll breathe 'em all to death!

Gavroche:
Listen everybody!
Listen up!

Gavroche:
General Lamarque
Is dead!

Enjolras:
Lamarque is dead...
Lamarque! His death is the hour of fate.
The people's man...
His death is the sign we await!
On his funeral day they will honor his name.
With the light of rebellion, ablaze in their eyes.
From the candles of grief we will kindle our flame!
On the tomb of Lamarque shall the barricade rise!
The time is here!
Let us welcome it gladly with courage and cheer
Let us take to the streets with no doubt in our hearts
But a jubilant shout
They will come one and all
They will come when we call!