DeTocqueville's France - More Musical Theatre!

"Do you hear the people sing?
Singing the song of angry men?
It is the music of a people who will not be slaves again.
When the beating of your heart echoes the beating of the drums,
there is a life about to start when tomorrow comes."

The musical, Les Misérables, is based on the 1862 novel by Victor Hugo, and takes place during the French Revolution. While the Jean Valjean, the main character, is less concerned with the Revolution and more for his adoptive daughter, the struggle is one of the themes of this... epically long... and trying... novel.
I prefer the musical - it's got most of the same themes, and boils down the near 1,400 page novel into about 4 hours.
These lyrics come from the English translation version of the song "Do You Hear The People Sing?", which occurs somewhere near the end of the first act. This is the part of the musical which deals with the Revolution. Marius, who is the love interest of Cosette (Valjean's adoptive daughter), is involved with the rebellion against the French government.
I've never seen Les Mis, but I hope to one day. And, as I've shown before, musical theatre helps me to better understand society at times.

Anyway, I think it's important to remember what kind of place DeTocqueville is coming from when he wrote "Democracy in America." Maybe he writes this "love letter" to America because of all the terrible things happening in France, and he's desperately searching for proof that a fair government will work.


"Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Beyond the barricade
is there a world you long to see?

Then join in the fight
that will give you the right to be free!

Do you hear the people sing?
Singing the songs of angry men?
It is the music of a people who will not be slaves again.
When the beating of your heart, echoes the beating of the drums
There is a life about to start when tomorrow comes."