the time is near
so near
it's stirring the blood in their veins
and yet beware
don't let the wine go to your brains
we need a sign
to rally the people
to call them to arms
to bring them in line
marius wake up
oh what's wrong today
you look as if you've seen a ghost
some wine and say what's going on
a ghost you say
a ghost may be
she was just like a ghost to me
one minute there then she was gone
I am agog I am aghast
is Marius in love at last
I've never heard him ooh and aah
you talk of battles to be won
and here he comes like Don Juan
it is better than an opera
it is time for us all to decide who we are
do we fight for the right to a night at the opera now
have you asked of yourself
what's the price you might pay
is this simply a game for a rich young boy to play
the colours of the world
are changing day by day
the blood of angry men
the dark of ages past
a world about to dawn
a night that ends at last
had you seen her today you might know how it feels
to be struck to the bone in a moment of breathless delight
had you been there today you might also have known
how your world may be changed to just one burst of light
and what was right seems wrong
and what was wrong seems right
I feel my soul on fire
my world if she's not there
it's the colour of desire
it's the colour of despair
Marius you're no longer a child
I do not doubt you mean it well
but now there is a higher call
who cares about your lonely soul
we strive towards a larger goal
our little lives don't count at all
the blood of angry men
the dark of ages past
a world about to dawn
a night that ends at last
listen everybody
general Lamarque is dead
Lamarque
his death is the hour of fate
the peoples man
his death is the sign we await
at his funeral day we will honour his death
with the light of rebellion ablaze in their eyes
with their candles of grief we will kindle our flame
at the tomb of Lamarque shall our barricade rise
the time is here
let us welcome it gladly with couraging cheer
let us take to the streets with no doubt in our hearts
But a jubilant shout
They will come one and all
They will come when we ask!