A Song whose lyrics speak to the true sentiments of many here

[adriano46]

In October of 2010, the great London producer and impresario, Cameron Mackintosh presented to the London stage (and to the world really), a new production for the 25th anniversary of the Boublil & Schönberg musical, LES MISÉRABLES.

 

Back in 1985, when this first opened, I somehow could not muster up interest in seeing it. I did try a few times to listen to the CD of the Broadway prduction of that time, but for some reason, I never really found it interesting.

 

Then last year with the remastering of one of the songs of this show on the UK's X FACTOR, where the entire world was blown away by Susan Boyle's singing of, "I dreamed a dream," and my interest returned to revisit this production. I began not only looking up the various songs of this show, but playing closer attention to the lyrics written by Herbert Kretzmer.

 

Then a few weeks ago, on various PBS stations, the entire production of the special 25th Anniversary concert of LES MISÉRABLES was played, and I was mesmerized - not only by the staging (which was phenomenal using original sketches from Victor Hugo), but by this singular cast, and especially Alfie Boe who played the role of Jean Valjean.

 

One particular song has been haunting me for weeks after seeing this production, and again this evening I watched it for 3 plus hours (they added whole sections where the original 1985 cast joined this special anniversary cast and two other casts of Les Mis which were playing concurrently in London), and as I listened to the famous song, "Bring Him Home", I was swept away with so many emotions evolving around prayers I have prayed in the past for special younger men I have met in my life (professionally, personally, and privately), and I post this here for others here, who like me are over 50 (or higher LOL) and who have been blessed with such friendships.

 

This is an amazing ode to them, a true prayer, and sung by one of the best male tenors voices I have ever heard. Enjoy. (This is especially for you friends enjoying the weekend in PS!!!!!) PS -- Jean Valjean is singing this to and about the character Marius, who has fallen in love with his ward Cosette - Marius here is Nick Jonas!!!

 

 

 

[video=youtube;wt5YRexag1o]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wt5YRexag1o&feature=related

[MsGuy]

My local PBS recently ran the production you praised during a fund drive week and, yes, it was a delight.

 

lyrics to "Bring Him Home:

 

(Valjean is standing over Marius at the barricade)

 

VALJEAN

God on high

Hear my prayer

In my need

You have always been there

 

He is young

He's afraid

Let him rest

Heaven blessed.

Bring him home

Bring him home

Bring him home.

 

He's like the son I might have known

If God had granted me a son.

The summers die

One by one

How soon they fly

On and on

And I am old

And will be gone.

 

Bring him peace

Bring him joy

He is young

He is only a boy

 

You can take

You can give

Let him be

Let him live

If I die, let me die

Let him live

Bring him home

Bring him home

Bring him home.

[adriano46]

MS Guy, thanks for adding the lyrics -- makes my reason for putting this thread up clearer.

[Diverdan]

Thanks, Adriano for sharing this. I too was enthralled by the entire production on PBS. I had always like Les Miserables and have seen it on stage many times, but I was truly blown away by this PBS program. Yes, some of us have been truly blessed by friendships with younger men, and this song is truly memorable. Thanks MS Guy for putting the lyrics up, as it does truly highlight the power of this song.

DD

[jgoo]

I also want to say thanks to Adriano for the vid and MS Guy for the lyrics. The first time I saw Les Miserables was a few years ago on the London stage and it was beyond an amazing experience for me. And that song had some very specific meaning for me because I had made some very close friendships with some younger guys years ago that have continued until today. There is something special about that bond and the feelings I have towards them that the song captures in many ways.

[adriano46]

It was this particular line in the song:

 

"He's like the son I might have known

If God had granted me a son."

 

that left the deepest impression on me.

 

Many of the gentlemen I have met here at this Forum over the years (through messages and e-mails) strike me as men who have not only hired, but who have had an influence (a positive one) on some of the guys the have met, and who have been able to act as a mentor, counsellor, friend, and more (father figure or older brother or whatever); we may not physically have "sons" but we have these men whose lives have touched ours, and vice versa. I am blessed with nephews and nieces, godsons, and the sons (and daughters) of friends who fill that gap in my "childless" life; but even moreso are those for whom I feel a deeper connection - and not one that is marked by a physical relationship anymore, but something far more serious -- like the son I might have known if God had granted me a son.

 

Sounds a bit dramatic or sappy but for some here, this resonates.

[leigh.bess.toad]

Enjoy. (This is especially for you friends enjoying the weekend in PS!!!!!) PS -- Jean Valjean is singing this to and about the character Marius, who has fallen in love with his ward Cosette - Marius here is Nick Jonas!!!

 

Thank you, my friend. I'm sure my fellow passengers are wondering why I'm a bit teary eyed at the moment. The song and yours' and the others' word touch me as I sit here on the plane next to Dane and Ryaan on our way to PS. This is a special weekend for us. They are very special young men and I consider myself the luckiest SOB in PS for having not one, but two of the finest men there. And I am looking forward to renewing acquaintances with friends whom I've met, putting faces with names of friends on line and making new friends as well. This will be a truly remarkable weekend and your post and the video gets it off to an amazing start. Thank you!