The Bargain/Thenardier Waltz

Les Miserables Broadway, July 1, 2002
Thenardier: Nick Wyman
Jean Valjean: J. Mark McVey
Cosette: Christiana Anbri

[VALJEAN]
I found her wandering in the wood
This little child, I
found her trembling in
the shadows
And I am here to help Cosette
And I will settle any debt
you may think proper
I will pay what I must pay
To take Cosette away.
There is a duty I must heed,
There is a promise I have made

For I was blind to one in need
I did not see what stood before me
Now her mother is with God
Fantine's suffering is over
And I speak here with her voice
And I stand here in her place
And from this day and evermore

[MME. THENARDIER]
Let me have your coat, M'sieur

[VALJEAN]
Cosette shall live in my protection

[THENARDIER]
You are very welcome here

[VALJEAN]
I shall not forsake my vow

[THENARDIER]
Take a glass

[MME. THENARDIER]
Take a chair

[VALJEAN]
Cosette shall have a father now!

[THENARDIER]
What to do? What to say?
Shall you carry our treasure away?
What a gem! What a pearl!
Beyond rubies is our little girl!
How can we speak of debt?
Let's not haggle for darling Cosette!

Dear Fantine, gone to rest...
Have we done for her child what is best?
Shared our bread. Shared each bone.
Treated her like she's one of our own!
Like our own, Monsieur!

[VALJEAN]
Your feelings do you credit, sir
And I will ease the parting blow
Let us not talk of bargains or bones or greed
Now, may I say, we are agreed?

[MME. THENARDIER]
That would quite fit the bill
If she hadn't so often been ill
Little dear, cost us dear
Medicines are expensive, M'sieur
Not that we begrudged a sou
It's no more than we Christians must do!

[M. & MME. THENARDIER]
One thing more, one small doubt
There are treacherous people about
No offense. Please reflect.
Your intentions may not be correct?

[VALJEAN]
No more words. Here's your price.
Fifteen hundred for your sacrifice.
Come, Cosette, say goodbye
Let us seek out some friendlier sky.
Thank you both for Cosette
It won't take you too long to forget.

Come, Cosette, come, my dear
From now on I will always be here
Where I go, you will be.

[YOUNG COSETTE]
Will there be children and castles to see?

[VALJEAN]
Yes, Cosette, yes, it's true.
There's a castle just waiting for you.

[VALJEAN & YOUNG COSETTE]
La la la la la...