Original Broadway Cast Recording Wedding Chorale/Beggars at the Feast Lyrics

(Marius and Cosette lead a wedding procession)

CHORUS
Ring out the bells
Upon this day of days!

May all the angels
Of the Lord above

In jubilation
Sing their songs of praise!

And crown this
Blessed time with
Peace and love.

(The procession becomes a dancing celebration. A waltz is played)

MAJOR DOMO
The Baron and Baroness de Thénard wish to pay their respects to the groom!

THENARDIER
Ain't it a laugh
Ain't it a treat?
Hob-nobbin' here
Among the elite?
Here comes a prince
There goes a Jew.
This one's a queer
But what can you do?
Paris at my feet
Paris in the dust
And here's me breaking bread
With the upper crust!

Beggar at the feast!
Master of the dance!
Life is easy pickings
If you grab your chance.
Everywhere you go
Law-abiding folk
Doing what is decent
But they're mostly broke!
Singing to the Lord on Sundays
Praying for the gifts He'll send.

M. & MME. THENARDIER
But we're the ones who take it
We're the ones who make it in the end!
Watch the b_____s dance
Watch 'em till they drop
Keep your wits about you
And you stand on top!
Masters of the land
Always get our share
Clear away the barricades
And we're still there!
We know where the wind is blowing
Money is the stuff we smell.
And when we're rich as Croesus
Jesus! Won't we see you all in hell!