Introduction
Les Miserables is a musical that has been captivating audiences since it first premiered in 1980. One of the most well-known songs from the musical is “On My Own,” which is a powerful ballad sung by the character Eponine. The song has become a classic and is loved by many. In this article, we will take a closer look at the lyrics to “On My Own” and explore the meaning behind them.
Verse 1
The song begins with Eponine singing about how she is all alone and how she has been abandoned by the people she loves. She sings, “And now I’m all alone again, nowhere to turn, no one to go to.” This line sets the tone for the rest of the song and establishes Eponine’s state of mind.
Eponine then goes on to sing about how she has been in love with Marius, one of the other characters in the musical, for a long time. She sings, “In love with him, but when the night is over, he is gone, the river’s just a river.” This line shows the depth of Eponine’s love for Marius and how it has left her heartbroken.
Chorus
The chorus of “On My Own” is one of the most powerful parts of the song. Eponine sings, “On my own, pretending he’s beside me, all alone, I walk with him till morning.” This line shows how Eponine is imagining that Marius is with her and how she is trying to hold onto the feeling of being close to him.
Eponine then goes on to sing, “Without him, the world around me changes, the trees are bare and everywhere the streets are full of strangers.” This line shows how Eponine’s world has changed since Marius left and how she now feels lost and alone without him.
Verse 2
In the second verse of “On My Own,” Eponine sings about how she has been forced to live on the streets and how she is constantly in danger. She sings, “A world that’s full of happiness, that I have never known.” This line shows how Eponine longs for a better life and how she feels like she will never find happiness.
Eponine then sings about how her love for Marius is the only thing that gives her hope. She sings, “I love him, but only on my own.” This line shows how Eponine feels like she can only love Marius from a distance and how she will never be able to be with him.
Chorus
The chorus of “On My Own” is repeated throughout the song and is one of the most memorable parts of the musical. Eponine sings, “On my own, pretending he’s beside me, all alone, I walk with him till morning.” This line shows how Eponine is holding onto the feeling of being close to Marius and how she is trying to make it last as long as possible.
Eponine then sings, “Without him, the world around me changes, the trees are bare and everywhere the streets are full of strangers.” This line shows how Eponine’s world has become dark and empty since Marius left and how she longs for him to come back to her.
Conclusion
“On My Own” is a powerful song that explores the themes of love, loss, and loneliness. The lyrics are beautifully written and are filled with emotion. The song has become a classic and is loved by many. If you haven’t heard it before, we highly recommend giving it a listen.