At The End Of The Day Lyrics - Les Miserables

At The End Of The Day Lyrics

At The End Of The Day

[1823, Montreuil-sur-Mer.]
[Outside the factory owned by the Mayor,]
[Monsieur Madeleine (Jean Valjean in disguise).]

[THE POOR WORKERS]
At the end of the day you're another day older
And that's all you can say for the life of the poor
It's a struggle, it's a war
And there's nothing that anyone's giving
One more day standing about, what is it for?
One day less to be living.

At the end of the day you're another day colder
And the shirt on your back doesn't keep out the chill
And the righteous hurry past
They don't hear the little ones crying
And the winter is coming on fast, ready to kill
One day nearer to dying!

At the end of the day there's another day dawning
And the sun in the morning is waiting to rise
Like the waves crash on the sand
Like a storm that'll break any second
There's a hunger in the land
There's a reckoning still to be reckoned and
There's gonna be hell to pay
At the end of the day!

[The foreman and workers, including Fantine, emerge from the factory]

[FOREMAN]
At the end of the day you get nothing for nothing
Sitting flat on your butt doesn't buy any bread

[WORKER ONE]
There are children back at home

[WORKERS ONE AND TWO]
And the children have got to be fed

[WORKER TWO]
And you're lucky to be in a job

[WOMAN]
And in a bed!

[WORKERS]
And we're counting our blessings!

[WOMAN TWO]
Have you seen how the foreman is fuming today?
With his terrible breath and his wandering hands?

[WOMAN THREE]
It's because little Fantine won't give him his way

[WOMAN ONE]
Take a look at his trousers, you'll see where he stands!

[WOMAN FOUR]
And the boss, he never knows
That the foreman is always in heat

[WOMAN THREE]
If Fantine doesn't look out
Watch how she goes
She'll be out on the street!

[WORKERS]
At the end of the day, it's another day over
With enough in your pocket to last for a week
Pay the landlord, pay the shop
Keep on grafting as long as you're able
Keep on grafting till you drop
Or it's back to the crumbs off the table
You've got to pay your way
At the end of the day!

[GIRL (Grabbing a letter from Fantine)]
And what have we here, little innocent sister?
Come on Fantine, let's have all the news!

[Reading the letter]

Ooh..."Dear Fantine, you must send us more money...
Your child needs a doctor...
There's no time to lose..."

[FANTINE]
Give that letter to me
It is none of your business
With a husband at home
And a bit on the side!
Is there anyone here
Who can swear before God
She has nothing to fear?
She has nothing to hide?

[They fight over the letter. Valjean (M. Madeleine) rushes on to break up the squabble.]

[VALJEAN]
What is this fighting all about?
Will someone tear these two apart
This is a factory, not a circus!
Now, come on, ladies, settle down
I run a business of repute
I am the Mayor of this town

[To the foreman]
I look to you to sort this out
And be as patient as you can-

[He goes back into the factory]

[FOREMAN]
Now, someone say how this began!

[GIRL]
At the end of the day
She's the one who began it!
There's a kid that she's hiding
In some little town
There's a man she has to pay
You can guess how she picks up the extra
You can bet she's earning her keep
Sleeping around
And the boss wouldn't like it!

[FANTINE]
Yes, it's true there's a child
And the child is my daughter
And her father abandoned us
Leaving us flat
Now she lives with an innkeeper man
And his wife
And I pay for the child
What's the matter with that?

[WOMEN]
At the end of the day
She'll be nothing but trouble
And there's trouble for all
When there's trouble for one!
While we're earning our daily bread
She's the one with her hands in the butter
You must send the slut away
Or we're all gonna end in the gutter
And it's us who'll have to pay
At the end of the day!

[FOREMAN]
I might have known the bitch could bite
I might have known the cat had claws
I might have guessed your little secret
Ah yes, the virtuous Fantine
Who keeps herself so pure and clean
You'd be the cause I had no doubt
Of any trouble hereabout
You play a virgin in the light
But need no urgin' in the night.

[GIRL]
She's been laughing at you
While she's having her men

[WOMEN]
She'll be nothing but trouble again and again

[WOMAN]
You must sack her today

[WORKERS]
Sack the girl today!

[FOREMAN]
Right my girl. On your way!


Meaning and Impact of "At the End of the Day" by the Original Broadway Cast of Les Misérables

At the End of the Day lyrics video by Original Broadway Cast of Les Misérables
Original Broadway Cast performing 'At the End of the Day' in the musical.

Song Credits:

  • Featuring Artist(s): Not Applicable
  • Producer(s): Alain Boublil & Claude-Michel Schönberg
  • Composer: Claude-Michel Schönberg
  • Writer: Herbert Kretzmer
  • Release Date: 1987
  • Musical Instruments: Orchestra
  • Label: Not Specified
  • Musical Genre: Musical Theatre
  • Album: Les Misérables (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
  • Track #: 4
  • Language(s): English
  • Mood: Somber, Reflective

Song Meaning

Original Broadway Cast performing At the End of the Day
Scene from the performance of 'At the End of the Day' in Les Misérables.

'At the End of the Day' serves as an introduction to the hardships faced by the impoverished characters in Les Misérables. The song highlights the relentless struggles of the working class, emphasizing the monotonous and grueling nature of their existence. The lyrics shed light on the disparity between the rich and the poor, illustrating how the affluent remain indifferent to the suffering of the less fortunate. This number sets the tone for the musical, establishing themes of social injustice and the yearning for change.

The song "One Day More" by Victor Hugo and Claude-Michel Schönberg highlights the pointlessness and hardship faced by laborers, who often struggle to find necessities of life. The song is resonant with the song "One Day More," which discusses the pointlessness and invariable hardship that each day brings. The theme throughout the show is that the public who ignore suffering are complicit as the government causes systemic injustice. The failed revolution is partially due to the failure of "the people to rise," as Enjolras was confident they would. The song takes place after the famous French Revolution (1789-1792), but the government has changed four times since then. First, France was considered a republic, ruled by the National Convention, the French Directoire, and Napoleon I, acting as First Consul. Napoleon then declared himself emperor and France his empire. After the country had plunged into an unsuccessful war with Russia, Napoleon abdicated to Louis XVIII. Napoleon later retook the throne, but only for a short time before being forced to abdicate again. Since the song takes place in 1823, 30 years of turmoil, distrust, and corruption have seeded the ground for future revolutions. The women observe that the foreman is aroused by Fantine, using the idiom "see where he stands" to play on the idiom. The Thénardiers have sent a letter to Fantine asking her for money for Cosette, claiming that the child is expensive and needs a doctor, whereas in reality, Cosette is in good health but is mistreated. Valjean, the mayor and business owner, reinvents himself into a wealthy businessman and mayor, owned by Monsieur Madeleine (Valjean). The workers start a rumor that Fantine may be a prostitute, but she is forced to take on that profession after losing her factory job. Fantine gets fired because she is initially thought to be a prostitute, but because she has a child out of wedlock, she becomes a prostitute. "Quand un Jour est Passé" and "Am Ende vom Tag" in French, Spanish, German, Polish, Dutch, and Estonian productions of "When a Day is Over" • Original Broadway version and tenth-anniversary concert: Lines "And the boss, he never knows/That the foreman is always on heat/If Fantine doesn't look out, watch how she goes!" cut. • 2012 movie: Lyrics slightly changed; Valjean sings "I am the Mayor of this town/I run a business of repute." • Symphonic soundtrack: Lyrics changed; letter to Fantine changed; "Cosette needs a doctor... there's no time to lose..." • 2012 movie: Fantine calls out to Valjean while the Foreman tries to kick her out.

Verse 1

The opening lines depict the workers' daily toil, where each day brings them closer to death without any significant improvement in their circumstances. The imagery of aging and the futility of their labor is evident as they question the purpose of their existence. The mention of "one day less to be living" encapsulates their grim reality.

Chorus

The chorus emphasizes the physical hardships endured by the workers, highlighting how inadequate clothing fails to protect them from the cold. It also touches upon societal neglect, with the "righteous" hurrying past without acknowledging the cries of the oppressed. The approaching winter symbolizes the impending hardships that lie ahead.

Verse 2

This verse delves into the emotional toll of poverty, where the workers express their dissatisfaction with their lot in life. The reference to "children back at home" and the necessity to provide for them adds a layer of responsibility and urgency to their struggles. The foreman's oppressive nature further exacerbates their plight, creating a hostile work environment.

Bridge

The bridge introduces a subplot involving Fantine, a factory worker who becomes the subject of gossip and judgment. The other workers speculate about her personal life, leading to her eventual dismissal. This segment highlights the lack of solidarity among the oppressed and the propensity to scapegoat those who are vulnerable.

Outro

The song concludes with the workers reflecting on their fleeting earnings and the constant cycle of labor. Despite their efforts, they remain trapped in a system that offers little respite, underscoring the themes of exploitation and systemic injustice.

Similar Songs with Social Commentary

Thumbnail from At the End of the Day lyric video by Original Broadway Cast of Les Misérables
A still from the 'At the End of the Day' lyric video, encapsulating the song's themes.
  1. 'Look Down' by Les Misérables Original London Cast: This song parallels 'At the End of the Day' by portraying the grim existence of the lower class. It emphasizes the perpetual struggle and the societal neglect faced by the impoverished. The repetition of "look down" serves as a call to acknowledge the suffering beneath the surface of society.
  2. 'Red and Black' by Les Misérables Original London Cast: While focusing on the revolutionary zeal of the students, this number also touches upon the socioeconomic disparities that fuel their activism. The passionate delivery and fervent ideals presented mirror the sentiments of the workers in 'At the End of the Day'.
  3. 'Stars' by Les Misérables Original London Cast: Javert's soliloquy reflects his unwavering belief in justice and order, contrasting with the chaotic world of the oppressed. The song provides insight into the moral complexities of the characters, offering a nuanced perspective on law and morality.

Questions and Answers

What inspired the creation of 'At the End of the Day'?
The song was crafted to depict the harsh realities of the working class in 19th-century France, aiming to evoke empathy and awareness among audiences regarding social injustices. It sets the stage for the narrative by introducing the struggles that drive the characters' actions throughout the musical.
How does 'At the End of the Day' relate to the overall narrative of Les Misérables?
'At the End of the Day' serves as an exposé of the socioeconomic conditions that catalyze the events of the story. It provides context for the characters' motivations, illustrating how systemic oppression leads to personal and collective


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Musical: Les Miserables. Song: At The End Of The Day. Broadway musical soundtrack lyrics. Song lyrics from theatre show/film are property & copyright of their owners, provided for educational purposes