Jean Valjean: "South" Sleeping At Last (Maya)
Jean Valjean: "South" Sleeping At Last
Lyrics:
Some truths, over time, can learn to play nice
Some truths are sharper than knives
Some truths we only see in the corners of our eyes
Some truths we wish we could hide
Some truths can save us
Some take our lives
Some truths are fire
And some truths are ice
No matter what category you fit into
Truth’s got its sight set on you
If truth is north
Then I am true south
I can’t figure it out
God knows
Always looking up
'Til my eyes give up
That’s how I lost touch
Of who I am and who I was
Some truths were sewn into our DNA
Some truths unravel and fray
Some truths keep growing taller than giants
Some truths take our breath away
Some truths get tired
The longer we wait
Well, some truths get tired
The longer we wait
If truth is north
Then I am true south
I can’t figure it out
God knows
I’m always looking up
'Til my eyes give up
That’s how I lost touch
Of who I was
If truth is north
Then I am true south
I can’t figure it out
God knows I’ve tried
Always looking up
'Til my eyes give up
That’s how I lost touch
Of who I am and who I was
Some truths are gentle, forgiving, and kind
Some truths are hard to define
Some truths are crooked, with rough edges too
But some truths wear like comfortable shoes
Some truths are loyal
As the shadows we lead
Some truths are stubborn as gravity
No matter what category you fit into
Truth’s got its sight set on you
As the shadows we lead
Some truths are stubborn as gravity
No matter what category you fit into
Truth’s got its sight set on you
Analysis:
"South" by Sleeping At Last deals with the diversity of truths and the idea that the truth always comes out eventually. The truth has been chasing Valjean for a great deal of time, and it is only natural that it finally catches up to him. Of course, that has not prevented Valjean from spending the majority of his life on the run, trying to avoid the repercussions that come with truths "we wish we could hide." However, as the singer says, no matter who you are, "Truth's got its sight set on you." Finally, Valjean confesses all that he has done to Marius, saying, "'I was compelled in honor to tell you all'" (Hugo 561). He sacrifices himself for Cosette's happiness, knowing that he can no longer hide who he truly is. Truth is not all bad; some "are gentle, forgiving, and kind." In fact, the truth of who saved Marius, revealed by Thenardier, prolonged Valjean's life and saved his relationship with Cosette.
However, the song can also apply to Javert, who has his eyes opened to the flaws of the justice system as well as opened to fact that morality sometimes outweighs legality. Javert is "true south," because he spent the majority of his life suppressing his empathy for others. It is only when he realizes that there are two conflicting rules dictating "rights and wrongs"--God's and man's--does Javert finally fall prey to the truth. Regarding Javert's thoughts on his realization, Hugo writes, "It seemed to him that henceforth his breathing would be oppressed forever. Could that be endurable? No" (Hugo 532). This truth falls into the category of the ones that "take our breath away" and the ones that "take our lives." Unable to reconcile this newfound knowledge with his past actions, Javert feels his only option is to commit suicide.
Audio:
"South" by Sleeping At Last deals with the diversity of truths and the idea that the truth always comes out eventually. The truth has been chasing Valjean for a great deal of time, and it is only natural that it finally catches up to him. Of course, that has not prevented Valjean from spending the majority of his life on the run, trying to avoid the repercussions that come with truths "we wish we could hide." However, as the singer says, no matter who you are, "Truth's got its sight set on you." Finally, Valjean confesses all that he has done to Marius, saying, "'I was compelled in honor to tell you all'" (Hugo 561). He sacrifices himself for Cosette's happiness, knowing that he can no longer hide who he truly is. Truth is not all bad; some "are gentle, forgiving, and kind." In fact, the truth of who saved Marius, revealed by Thenardier, prolonged Valjean's life and saved his relationship with Cosette.
However, the song can also apply to Javert, who has his eyes opened to the flaws of the justice system as well as opened to fact that morality sometimes outweighs legality. Javert is "true south," because he spent the majority of his life suppressing his empathy for others. It is only when he realizes that there are two conflicting rules dictating "rights and wrongs"--God's and man's--does Javert finally fall prey to the truth. Regarding Javert's thoughts on his realization, Hugo writes, "It seemed to him that henceforth his breathing would be oppressed forever. Could that be endurable? No" (Hugo 532). This truth falls into the category of the ones that "take our breath away" and the ones that "take our lives." Unable to reconcile this newfound knowledge with his past actions, Javert feels his only option is to commit suicide.
Audio:
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