To love another person Is to see the face of God

The closing Finale to Les Miserables seems to echo sentiments we are seeing across Europe and the US, a revolt of the hoi polloi against the self-anointed elites.

Finale

Do you hear the people sing
Lost in the valley of the night?
It is the music of a people
Who are climbing to the light.

For the wretched of the earth
There is a flame that never dies.
Even the darkest night will end
And the sun will rise.

We will live again in freedom
In the garden of the Lord.
We will walk behind the plough-share,
We will put away the sword.
The chain will be broken
And all men will have their reward.

Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?
Do you hear the people sing?
Say, do you hear the distant drums?
It is the future that they bring
When tomorrow comes!

Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?
Do you hear the people sing?
Say, do you hear the distant drums?
It is the future that we bring
When tomorrow comes...
Tomorrow comes!

It is the prior verses which hold the liberating message though.

VALJEAN (to COSETTE)
Now you are here
Again beside me
Now I can die in peace
For now my life is blessed...

COSETTE
You will live, Papa, you're going to live
It's too soon, to ever say goodbye!

VALJEAN
Yes, Cosette, forbid me now to die
I'll obey
I will try.
On this page
I write my last confession
Read it well

When I, at last, am sleeping
It's the story
Of one who turned from hating
A man who only learned to love
When you were in his keeping.

FANTINE
Come with me
Where chains will never bind you
All your grief
At last, at last behind you
Lord in Heaven
Look down on him in mercy.

VALJEAN
Forgive me all my trespasses
And take me to your glory.

FANTINE, EPONINE
Take my hand
I'll lead you to salvation
Take my love
For love is everlasting

VALJEAN, FANTINE, EPONINE
And remember
The truth that once was spoken
To love another person
Is to see the face of God.

Click here for the original.