Bring Him Home

In the poignant song 'Bring Him Home' from the musical Les Misérables, Jean Valjean, a central character, offers a heartfelt prayer to God. The song is a powerful moment in the narrative, capturing Valjean's deep compassion and paternal love for Marius, a young revolutionary. Valjean's plea is not just for Marius's safety but also reflects his own sense of mortality and the passage of time. The lyrics, 'He is young, he's afraid. Let him rest, Heaven blessed,' highlight Valjean's recognition of Marius's vulnerability and his desire for divine protection over the young man.

Valjean's prayer is imbued with a sense of longing and selflessness. He sees Marius as the son he never had, expressing this sentiment with the lines, 'He's like the son I might have known if God had granted me a son.' This connection deepens the emotional weight of his plea, as Valjean is willing to sacrifice his own life for Marius's survival. The repetition of 'Bring him home' underscores the urgency and desperation in Valjean's voice, making it a moving appeal for mercy and grace.

The song also touches on themes of aging and the fleeting nature of life. Valjean reflects on the passage of time with the lines, 'The summers die, one by one. How soon they fly on and on. And I am old and will be gone...' This acknowledgment of his own mortality adds a layer of poignancy to his prayer, as he seeks to ensure that Marius has a future even if he himself does not. 'Bring Him Home' is a testament to the power of love, sacrifice, and the hope for redemption, making it one of the most memorable and emotionally resonant moments in Les Misérables.