[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. We need a sign To rally the people, To call them to arms, To bring in line.
[Joly:] Marius, wake up! 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, and she was gone.
[Grantaire:] I am agog! I am aghast! Is Marius in love at last? I've never heard him 'ooh' and 'aah.' You talk of battles to be won And here he comes, like Don Juan, It is better than an opera!
[Enjolras:] It is time for us all to decide who we are, Do we fight for the right To the night of an opera now? Have you ask of yourself What's the price you might pay? Is it simply a game for a rich young boy to play? The colours 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 seen her today You might know how it feels To be struck to the bone In a moment of breathless delight. Had you been there today, You might also had known How your world may be changed In just one burst of light, And what was right seems wrong, And what was wrong seems right.
[Grantaire:] Red!
[Marius:] I feel my soul on fire,
[Grantaire:] Black!
[Marius:] My world if she's not there.
[All:] Red!
[Marius:] It's the colour of desire,
[All:] Black!
[Marius:] It's the colour of despair.
[Enjolras:] Marius, you're no longer a child I do not doubt you meen it well, But now there is a higher call. Who cares about your lonely soul, We strive towards a larger goal, Our little lives don't count at all. Red!
[All:] The blood of angry men, Black – the dark of ages past! Red – a world about to dawn, Black – the night that ends at last!
[Courfeyrac:] Listen, everybody!
[Gavroche:] General Lamarque is dead.
[Enjolras:] Lamarque, His death is the hour of fate. The people's man. His death is the sign we all wait! On his funerall fay they will honour his name. With a light of rebellion, a blaze in their eyes. In their candles of grief we will kindle our flame. On the tomb of Lamarque shall a barricade rise. The time is here, Let us welcome it gladly with courage and cheer,
[Feuilly:] Let us take to the streets with no doubt in our hearts.