Epilogue, Les Miserables - A write up/My interpretation
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This is the last and longest song in the entire musical. It covers what happens in the final moments of Jean Valjean's life. In the events leading up to this song, all the Students of the ABC are killed at the barricade with the exception of Marius Pontmercy. Unknown to Marius, Valjean saved his life by carrying him through the sewers of Paris after Marius was shot. Valjean's adopted daughter, Cosette, is married to Marius after the failed revolution. As a former convict who had to evade capture several times with Cosette, Valjean fears that his continued presence poses a risk to Cosette's wellbeing and decides to leave her. With everything worth living for in his life gone, he is slowly dying on Cosette's wedding day.
For the first part of the song, Valjean reminisces on his life with Cosette and how she has grown. He remembers that it is her wedding that day and prays to God for her marriage to be a blissful one.
The song then changes melody to the tune and key of Bring Him Home. Continuing his prayer, he asks for his death to be a smooth and painless transition and is prepared to submit himself to it.
As if to confirm his approaching death, the ghost of Fantine appears to him. She thanks him for raising her orphaned daughter, Cosette, and assures him that he is going to Heaven.
Unexpectedly, Cosette and Marius arrive at Valjean's house, deserting their own wedding. Cosette is worried about her adoptive father's condition, but Valjean is only concerned with apologising to her for keeping the secrets of her childhood from her. Marius then tells Cosette what he knows: At the wedding he found out from M. Thenardier that Valjean saved his life, prompting him to bring her to him. With Cosette by his side again, Valjean's dying wish is fufilled.
Before he dies, Valjean hands her a letter. It explains everything that he could possibly tell her; the truth about his life, her childhood, the circumstances of her adoption and her mother's name. Fantine gently reminds him that his time has come as Eponine's ghost also appears to guide his spirit to Heaven. Reminding Marius and Cosette of the importance of their love for each other along with the silent voices of Fantine and Eponine, Valjean dies.
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Now songs generally don't make me cry but I was tearing when I first heard this. Particularly near the end of the song where the three sing in perfect harmony. Truly a sad song and a work of musical art.