Les Misérables (10th Anniversary) - Look down [Lyrics on screen]

Les Misérables opening - Look down
CHORUS
Look down, look down
Don't look 'em in the eye
Look down, look down
You're here until you die
1ST CONVICT
The sun is strong
It's hot as hell below
CHORUS
Look down, look down
there's twenty years to go.
2ND CONVICT
I've done no wrong
Sweet Jesus, here my prayer
CHORUS
Look down, look down
Sweet Jesus doesn't care
3RD CONVICT
I know she'll wait
I know that she'll be true
CHORUS
Look down, look down
They've all forgotten you
4TH CONVICT
When I get free
You won't see me
'Ere for dust
CHORUS
Look down, look down
Don't look 'em in the eye.
5TH CONVICT
How long, O Lord
Before you let me die?
CHORUS
Look down, look down
You'll always be a slave
Look down, look down
You're standing in your grave.
JAVERT
Now bring me prisoner 24601
Your time is up
And your parole's begun
You know what that means.
VALJEAN
Yes, it means I'm free.
JAVERT
No! It means you get
Your yellow ticket-of-leave
You are a thief.
VALJEAN
I stole a loaf of bread.
JAVERT
You robbed a house.
VALJEAN
I broke a window pane.
My sisters child was close to death
And we were starving.
JAVERT
You will starve again
Unless you learn the meaning of the law.
VALJEAN
I know the meaning of those 19 years
A slave of the law.
JAVERT
Five years for what you did
The rest because you tried to run
Yes, 24601.
VALJEAN
My name is Jean Valjean.
JAVERT
And I am Javert
Do not forget my name
Do not forget me
24601
CHORUS
Look down, look down
You'll always be a slave
Look down, look down
You're standing in your grave.
------------------------DISCLAIMER------------------------
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[@TehCookieSpartan]

Just realized: the prisoners are played by those who played Valjean in the American, Canadian, Irish, and Scottish productions.

[@ozzyman0446]

Paragon Josh and Australian

[@crepepenguin4477]

Wait... really?

[@eljordinio7647]

Seriously?

[@anhduc0913]

@@eljordinio7647 Checkpoint reached. Customize your character - choose your nationality.

[@ashgames417]

yeah I just noticed jeff the irish guy was one of the prisoners I'll have to look for the others

[@bontosyl3222]

Man, that "And I'm _Javert_ " will never not make me smile. So much power in that one line.

[@Moneor]

The delivery of the line "I've done no wrong, sweet Jesus hear my prayer" is really good - you can really feel he's been wrongfully convicted.

[@MsJubjubbird]

all the soloists in this song, apart from Philip and Colm, were Valjeans from English speaking countries.

[@lughildana]

He was a thief

[@9and7]

....or just missed out on the Lead...

[@heavenlytoned5998]

The "look down! look down!" after that one hit especially hard.

[@jonathanmarkoff4469]

@@heavenlytoned5998 The one saying "How long, o Lord, until you let me die?" is also very powerful.

[@jccw227]

To quote Aladdin: "All this for a loaf of bread?"

[@Emrys91]

You robbed a house!

[@wes5457]

Kaladin ..." Be careful when you raise the bridge".

[@ckali8702]

emrys I broke a window pane. My sister’s child was close to death and we were starving

[@Emrys91]

@@ckali8702 you'll starve again Unless you learn the meaning of the law.

[@ckali8702]

emrys I now the meaning of those 19 years a slave of the law

[@triis2]

I love Javert's "No"

[@GPS_DS]

It’s such a “No you moron” Kind of no.

[@MadameChristie]

Dunno if anyone's noticed, but the chain gang is comprised of the English speaking Valjeans form the international Do You Hear the People Sing at the end of the concert.

[@NYKydd]

All over these years and I mean years...I've never noticed

[@DTux5249]

Never new it I find that hilarious lol

[@CBRN-115]

So, multiple Jean Valjeans from different versions? Lmao

[@sugarshow4941]

Director: So how many Valjeans will you want? Philip Quast: YES

[@MrMp33420]

Makes sense lol. Only so many people you can put on stage, so use the ones not singing for backgrounds. Especially since they're doing the song in English

[@joshscomputer]

1:26 Michael Burgess (Canadian) 1:38 Craig Schulman (American) 1:49 Rob Guest (Australian) 2:01 Phil Cavill (British) 2:12 Jeff Leyton (Irish)

[@JimmySteller]

That is so cool.

[@shawno66]

JimmySteller y

[@shawno66]

oooooooooo iv seen that

[@mnsirens]

Well they were the only Valjeans from around the world that spoke the Les Miserables script in English (in they're home country)

[@sanitarvma]

Ryan Gillis p0)p0p

[@brojuiceunderfoot5765]

Man even though the movie had the visual aids of the ships and then of course the sounds of crashing water, this felt more powerful bc of the vocal performances

[@cheetoschrist5685]

That's so true. The movie has amazing visuals, the sets are incredible, all the actors actually doing what they are meant to be doing the musical, but this feels so much more powerful just cuz of the voice performances. It's just really disappointing how the movie falls flat on almost every line

[@espinabenevola3524]

@@cheetoschrist5685 even when I prefer the theatrical productions, the movie holds a place in my heart because is the one that made me discover the world of musicals!

[@Reallifesatan]

Hollywood can’t be trusted to cast a vocalist. They’ll always hire some blockbuster actor like Gerard butler or, god forbid, russell Crowe.

[@MaestroMarkos]

The funny this is that Crowe did better in this scene than Jackman

[@davidegaruti2582]

@@MaestroMarkos jackman was dehydrated

[@claudiabrown1931]

I have a funny story about this song, I saw a community theatre in Michigan perform Les Mis and I begged to see it twice. The second time I saw it when Val Jean says “Yes it means I’m free!” Javert went, “Yes!.........I mean no!” And my sister couldn’t stop laughing

[@Wolfmyth100]

To be fair...I'd have a hard time not laughing

[@comradewindowsill4253]

When it’s Javert’s first week on the job and he’s real keen but isn’t quite the Inspector we know and love yet

[@howverydeadly23]

@Claudia Brown what theatre may I ask? I’m from Michigan as well

[@claudiabrown1931]

@@howverydeadly23 the barn theatre in kalamazoo

[@foreveryoung9375]

Lol, that's my first though when i saw the part for the first time, funny to know it's really happening lol

[@janeyrevanescence12]

“How long, O Lord, before you let me die?” Why does that lyric hit so hard?

[@selinakyle2237]

Aaand I'm Javert! *chills*

[@salazarslytherin9521]

Selina Kyle yep

[@liarliar6208]

Selina Kyle your like naked in the picture good thing i cant see the hole picture…

[@eljordinio7647]

Russel Crowe take notes

[@TheLocNar]

That epic growl of "Javert!"

[@SuperAWaC]

@@liarliar6208 that's catherine zeta jones idiot

[@ZenLeee]

It tore me apart when i realized this song was about Javert being "a slave of the law" and at the end he LOOKED DOWN, LOOKED DOWN... he was standing in his grave. PS. in the beginning of Victor Hugo's Les Miserable's, in the bishop who saved Valjean, M. Myriel, chapters Hugo said "transform the grief which gazes upon a *grave* by showing him the grief which fixes its gaze upon a *star*." Philip Quast said in an interview that the lyrics "and the stars are black and cold" was Javert realizing to himself the idea that there is no God and so he lost faith in the law which instantly brought him to his final decision

[@brojuiceunderfoot5765]

Damn thats badass

[@him050]

Time stamp?

[@jeffbogdan9187]

Javert was also forced to LOOK DOWN in pity at the man in the sewer, and Javert was no fan of pity. That didn't help either. If he had accepted that justice and mercy are both part of the law, and therefore justice and mercy could also be part of God, he could have lived longer.

[@hawkeyepierce7035]

What Javert realised was that morality was not necessarily synonymous with the law. All his life he had believed in the law as his system of morality. He ultimately committed suicide because he could not accept that following the letter of the law could in fact be immoral at times. Especially if following the law rigidly did not allow for any mercy.

[@Apriluser]

@@hawkeyepierce7035 You’re right. And Javert couldn’t accept grace.

[@aroseforepona6670]

When Philip Quast sings "And I'm JAVERT!" you really really know it. The definitive Javert and the best.

[@brandondavis8584]

This is the best rendition ever of Les Miserables.

[@dorisbrannon5141]

Until Alfie Boe came along!

[@sicksalt7765]

I love how he spits the word Javert. He says it like that a couple times throughout this production.

[@jet8499]

I love Valjean and Javert's back and forth in this version. The two have great chemistry on stage, the timing was perfect.

[@14BleedME]

The "ah-ah"s at the end chilled me to my core!

[@MsJubjubbird]

I just love the way they used to train singers in those days. It's so rare to hear a singer trained the same way these days. Even on broadway/west end.

[@shannamartinez9494]

Yeah, Wicked couldn't hold a candle to this.

[@lughildana]

They're still trained, just go unused

[@overratedgamer4835]

FamilyGirl35 Actually Wicked Phantom and Les Mis are the three good ones. If ya wanna poop on a musical, try Once. Or Dear Evan Hansen. 😆🐶

[@MsJubjubbird]

@@lughildana I even find if you listen to the newer versions of Les Mis and other older musicals, they don't have that richness to their voices. I think they half want to sound like their favorite popstar, also singers receive classical training- which helps develop the muscles and technique even if you don't want to be a classical singer. Everyone in this cast and most professional musicals you saw then (unless it was a rock musical or something) was like an athlete in singing

[@almasamocha3018]

@@MsJubjubbird classical training brings me so much joy it's honestly just everything haha. I completely agree especially about more modern interpretations!!

[@michaelwolfe9496]

How long, oh Lord, before you let me die?

[@Howlingburd19]

Phillip Quast will always be the best Javert. The balance between technique and power is unmatched!

[@ike212111]

After all these years, this song remains so up to date. It perfectly describes my workplace.

[@hshshshshshshs8831]

lol

[@frankdeleon4209]

😂😂😂

[@amjthe_paleosquare9399]

That's rough, buddy 😂

[@mewantcool]

2:15 I want more vocals of this guy! epic voice right there.

[@Ihdc1]

mewantcool He was also the Irish Valjean in the finale (the chain gang is actually the five English speaking Valjeans from the finale: American, Canadian, Irish, British, and Australian).

[@acpisces]

Can't stop replaying his part. Jeff Leyton is SOOOOOOO GOOD!!

[@frodegroven]

Holy shit - who is the guy singing " The sun is strong Its hot as hell below" - What a voice!!!!! - He must be hired to a rock band!

[@CommissarMitch]

His name was Michael Burgess. He passed away in 2017 at the age of 70.

[@SMjerZgirl]

You know its gonna be good when the conductor is pumped too.

[@epicrapfan73]

Michael Burgess - Canada: "The sun is strong! It's hot as hell below!" Craig Schulman - USA: "I've done no wrong. Sweet Jesus, hear my prayer!" Rob Guest - Australia: " I know she'll wait. I know that she'll be true." Phil Cavill - United Kingdom: "When I get free, you won't see me 'ere for dust!" Jeff Leyton - Ireland: "How long, O Lord, before you let me die?"

[@ShatnerLover]

I love the single-line singers who are over-doing it.

[@shippy1991]

Philip Quast best Javert ever!

[@fanzel123]

Peter Shipway agreed

[@queenelizabeth4017]

yeah

[@starhunter9085]

Peter Shipway What about Russell Crow?

[@amanda6993]

Yes!

[@lunarfox7287]

Russel Crowe is legend

[@simonregan471]

Interesting that the movie changed "No, it means you get your yellow ticket of leave/You are a thief" to "No, follow to the letter your itinerary/This badge of shame you'll show until you die/It warns you're a dangerous man.", which seems less confrontational (we aren't hearing Javert's opinion, only his second-hand relating what the document means). Perhaps they thought the audience would not understand 'ticket of leave' to mean a document Jean will have to show to every employer and landlord and thought they needed to spell it out.

[@EternalShadow1667]

I noticed the film presented Javert as less of a villain and more of just a man doing his duty

[@kw7378a1]

@@EternalShadow1667 I don't know that Javert is a villain per se. He's a man that's too rigid in his thinking - once a thief, always a thief. I think Geoffrey Rush was perfectly cast in the live action version from the 90s (not the musical) - he can play a character who is clearly hard-hearted but not mua-ha-ha evil. Russell Crowe didn't seem to get it.

[@dorisbrannon5141]

The movie sucked!

[@spiritualbeetle3904]

The show I saw in theater changed it to that too, it's not just a movie thing

[@GPS_DS]

I really hate that line change because of how aggressively non-musical of a line it is. “Follow to the letter your itinerary, this badge of shame you’ll show until you die”, is super wordy, long, and doesn’t flow in the song at all. Why did the people making that movie seem to not care about musicals at all?

[@Brynwyn123]

By far the best ever Javert

[@ponypond3875]

JAVVERRRGHHHTTT!!!!

[@arleen123100]

pony pond I

[@captainj223]

Les Miserables. Still my all time favorite musical

[@wmier2]

It's a great musical, for sure. It is also my all time favorite. I just finished reading the book. If you haven't read it yet, I suggest you do. There are a few parts that drag on, but it fills in a lot of the backgrounds of the characters.

[@charliegordan6354]

I love this scene

[@micher100280]

god i love that "two four six o one"

[@him050]

There’s those who can sing and those who have trained to sing. You cannot compare these talented people here who have spent years developing their skills to be able to make these sounds in the way they do to a ‘singer’

[@bigoldinosaur]

Colm Wilkinson is the King of the Valjean's.

[@Jay30k]

Meanwhile the audience looks up...

[@JoeZombie-nq7qj]

When you're celebrating snapping out of a depressive episode with an all-day earworm of a "Look down, look down, you'll always be a slave, look down, look down, you're standing in your grave"... that's not weird, is it?

[@I_Made_it_Up]

Yes

[@bookprincess13]

My goodness this musical definitely has one of the most lovely and harmonious chorus sounds I've heard yet!!!

[@josiahcain4176]

"Which is heavier: a soldier's pack or a slave's chains?" Napolean Bonaparte “. . . Kings, aristocrats, tyrants, whoever they be, are slaves rebelling against the sovereign of the earth, which is the human race, and against the legislator of the universe, which is nature." Maxemillean Robspierre.

[@markarmage3776]

The second guy didn't end so well. The first guy is great, though.

[@smashingpumpkin1986]

Phillip Quast is a powerhouse. He reminds me of Mr Bumble in Oliver.

[@scr1231]

Les Miserables is something else.

[@SacredDaturana]

Still the best version.

[@preciousfox4740]

The dynamic between Jean Valjean and Javert is so symbolic to me personally as a Christian, one represents a life under the Spirit and the other represents life under the Law. Javert (the Law) reminds you of everything you've done wrong, and can only see you based on your sin, while the Spirit frees you from your sin, and give you grace to live a good, honorable life, and ultimately fulfills the law without making you a slave to it

[@YoO161]

"yes, it means im free" "(uuhm) no(pe)"

[@Onuiwa]

FINALLLYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was probably no more than 8 years old when I saw this exact video... 20 years... It's been at least 20 years since I saw this video! WOOOOHOOOO!

[@giovannianggasta5452]

Their voices are amazing!

[@Schmorbo]

I'll make sure to forget your name Javert!

[@fanzel123]

mike jones seems legit

[@niloufarmoezzi9139]

Is that a threat or an offer..?

[@eljordinio7647]

I get it

[@KuroiGaruga]

Ahhhhh, I was listening to the 25th anniversary and I liked it but it was waaaay to stiff, this one feels so natural in it's execution!

[@dorisbrannon5141]

The 40th is amazingly good

[@mathewgodfrey1517]

I plan on making this my ringtone for work.

[@Apriluser]

What a powerful story! We’ve seen it on film (2012 version) several times, on Broadway and in Philly. Can’t get enough of the story and the music!

[@meggypeggy9142]

literally perfect

[@AhmedSaif44]

eargasm ^^

[@carschmn]

Major asmr tingles.

[@mikeor-]

French version: Prisoners: Have pity, pity, Your life you drag along, Have pity, pity, By the ball of your chain. Prisoner 1: The sun is burning, It's hot as hell below, Prisoners: Have pity, pity, There's twenty years to go. Prisoner 2: I did no wrong, Sweet Jesus, I implore you! Prisoners: Have pity, pity, Sweet Jesus doesn't care. Prisoner 3: I know she'll love me, I know that she'll be true. Prisoners: Who knows? Who knows? No one wants her but you. Prisoner 4: When I get free, I will avenge myself, Without mercy. Prisoners: Have pity, pity, How longer must we suffer? Prisoner 5: Have mercy, Lord! And rather let me die! Prisoners: Have pity, pity, Your life you drag along, Have pity, pity, By the ball of your chain. Javert: Now bring me prisoner 24601, Your time is up, And your probation has begun. Do you understand? Valjean: Yes, that I am free. Javert: No. It means you have to carry this yellow ticket, Because you were a thief, Valjean: I stole a loaf of bread. To feed the children of my sister, I had to pay dearly. Javert: You will pay again. Unless you learn to respect the law. Valjean: I know the meaning of those nineteen years, The law stole from me. Javert: Five years for what you did, The rest because you tried to flee, Yes, 24601. Valjean: My name is Jean Valjean. Javert: And I'm Javert! Do not forget my name, Never forget me, 24601! Prisoners: Have pity, pity, Your life you drag along, Have pity, pity, By the ball of your chain. Valjean: Freedom at last! I breathe the air again A new day dawns, and I shall see, If there is a hope reserved for me.

[@rjzavala87]

Saw this last year in dallas on opening night. I wasnt ready for how good this was gonna be. Just awesome.

[@Lugia625]

"You are a thief!" "I stole a loaf of bread!" Welp... Yeah... That's what a thief is...

[@SarSaraneth]

No, that's petty theft.

[@SarSaraneth]

+PoisonBannanna Bread Yes, what?

[@dankhnw8]

ReviewCam You're right. He should have received a life sentence. *UNFORGIVABLE!*

[@evanw1842]

ReviewCam 5 years for what he did. The rest because he tried to run. Yes 24601

[@MsJubjubbird]

He's saying what he did wasn't so bad and didn't justify a prison sentence. But then Javert comes back with the fact that he broke and entered, he didn't just take it off the shelf of a shop, and that he also had escape attempts- hence it was his fault he was there for so long. Neither man is right in this whole story.

[@designbookInc]

What a incredible show! One day i will see this live! (look down, look down, you will never see it alive!)

[@sofiwuu3001]

Love the young conducteur 😊

[@howzen]

I saw it live in london,wow,just wow,it was incredible❤️totaly recomand it

[@alexandraponce8081]

EXCELLENT opening

[@erinmorris1625]

Love this

[@linksgrandma25]

When your dad makes you do chores on the weekend

[@Pieisgood9967]

Why didn't they cast Quast as Javert in the movie?

[@fcanoso]

+tcutshaw i think for comercial reasons was better have moviestarts in the film.

[@dASDFGism]

+tcutshaw probably due to his age, still sucks though

[@xxtdhxx2019]

tcutshaw what about norm Lewis he did it good

[@SuperCatman]

This was in 1995. the movie was made in 2011.

[@SarSaraneth]

Because the movie would still have been a poor adaptation, regardless of who played the roles. The writing was sub-par.

[@DrizzyDrew47]

Jeff Leyton's part is amazing

[@EkaantMeinSaantvana]

I love this

[@annebritten7804]

I so would love to have seen this live I love Les miserables so much even if it goes on for three hours

[@Tatjana-_-]

Fucking hell this entire song gives me goosebumps

[@aboris]

Thank you so much happy share 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@frankdeleon4209]

Awesome!!!

[@robertweel9714]

This look down is really powerful

[@gothikel]

im a simple person but how im fuc**** jealous to londoneers - who can visit that beauty every week ps im a russian - so not every week xD

[@tatianatjkhalid1772]

Blasting this in the car Is THE BEST

[@Graycata]

My school district just put this play on. It was shortened to about 2.75 hours because it's a school play. The orchestra is very OnPoint this year

[@laurasaxon694]

Very good interpretation.

[@gunnwolf6531]

Look down look down there's and audience staring at you.

[@overratedgamer4835]

This was in my head so I’m here now. 😆🐶

[@spencera1129]

Legends

[@shachishah329]

Yessssss

[@yukoncornelius5014]

Javiers voice is insane

[@bellerophon1995]

Mr. Yamagami likes this song

[@lildrawhub1025]

This whole song is a metaphor for school.

[@cl34ve]

Just wait until you discover the true cages

[@sketchygetchey8299]

That’s cute

[@philmycrevice3536]

Before i saw les mis movie, everytime some tv or book character referenced javert's search for val Jean, they made it sound like javert's only goal was with capturing/recapturing val jean for his entire career just for the loaf of bread.

[@vinylhedgehog5574]

I have always found the character of Javert somewhat attractive, regardless of who is playing him. (with the exception of Russell Crowe, I'm simply not attracted to that version)

[@PinkManGuy]

F I V E Y E A R S F O R W H A T Y O U D I D Gee I wonder why

[@lyl9255]

His ponytail is very cool.

[@amanda6993]

Me too

[@BanditoBurrito]

I'm a straight dude and I think officers of that century are pretty handsome. It's just a dutiful and powerful position.

[@gabriellerausch594]

0~0 we simply cannot be friends then..... The singing was great BTW

[@amandaelliott6947]

Wow

[@gilberkowitz1953]

I LOVE LEY MIS

[@abcde012]

look down!

[@justine4249]

2:12 Jeff Leyton . SOMEONE HAVE A LINK OF HIS PERFORMANCE FOR do you hear the people sing

[@bananadoctor]

This is essentially what I think of school.

[@Danasioo]

BOM MSM BEM AGRESSIVO.

[@raspberrytemmoi1024]

I saw a musical of this and this was my first musical I have seen that's not in my school :\ I thought it was like aladdin

[@user-rh1jo1yy9e]

I cannot describe how much better this is than the theatrical release.

[@BookshelfQBattler]

I made a couple mistakes in my 20s and have been saying, "Look down! Look down!" ever since.

[@sethhowell198]

the overture has no business being as good as it is does

[@RobOtic]

I just saw a performance on stage afew days ago and forgot how hard it goes right out of the gate.

[@user-ce9sv8cl5r]

제설~ 제설~

[@jannis11]

nice

[@itsmealex8959]

Someone play this song in an amazon warehouse please

[@hemmingwayfan]

My boss gets annoyed when I play this at work. Not sure why

[@marlenevonbulow6591]

jeg så den med hovde rollen med Stige Rossen her i danmark-hilsen fra M.V.B.

[@o_ob2849]

03:30 is my favorite

[@lutraenhydris3231]

Hey Russel this is how you sing.

[@addymariarosado-contreras6514]

my teacher showed me that song. and he saw that play

[@dankhnw8]

Hamilton Schuyler Lucky ass dude