Creator: French composer Claude-Michel Schonberg created the song as part of the musical Les Miserables.
Purpose: The story is based on the novel Les Miserables by Victor Hugo and the song reflects the desire to spark the French Revolution.
Song Manifesto
Do You Hear the People Sing?
ENJOLRAS
Do you hear the people sing?
Singing a 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!COMBEFERRE
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?
Courfeyrac:
Then join in the fight
That will give you the right to be free!ALL
Do you hear the people sing?
Singing a 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!FEUILLY
Will you give all you can give
So that our banner may advance
Some will fall and some will live
Will you stand up and take your chance?
The blood of the martyrs
Will water the meadows of France!ALL
Do you hear the people sing?
Singing a 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!
Source
Wikipedia and Songs from Les Miserables
YouTube Song Video: http://youtu.be/x6-5g78Nr6Q
Rousing alternative YouTube Video with slightly different lyrics to above: http://youtu.be/FmaTNf4YhEs
Thanks to Bill Jennings for suggesting this one
Actually, the French Revolution occurred from 1789-1799 while the revolt pictured takes place in 1832. It’s actually the June Rebellion (also known as the Paris Uprising). The French Revolution was fought by the fathers of the Friends of the ABC.
Oops! I got that wrong. Thanks for the update!