Alms for the Beggar Man [Dennis DeYoung]

Alms for the Beggar Man
Written by Dennis DeYoung
Lead Vocals by Dennis DeYoung

Clopin and Friends
Alms for the beggar man
Please help the indigent of Paris
Madame I need a bit of sympathy

Alms for the beggar man
Who's there, don't be afraid of touching me
Blindness is not exactly leprosy

Alms for the beggar man
Kind sir can you spare a franc for some food
I'll take any gift you give but shoes

Alms for the beggar man
Hey look, these were hiding inside my clothes
At last I've got some hands to pick my nose

My God it's a miracle
My eyes have suddenly begun to see
Turns out it was just this handkerchief

Mais oui, call the doctors and physicians
To see
My legs in excellent reconditioned
We three, suddenly have found religion

Look in my eyes
At my arms
And my legs
And you'll see a true epiphany

We are the kings of lies disguise and deception
When we beg or steal it's devoid of detection
Real work is simply out of the question
There's no occupation
For gypsies crooks and thieves
So come on boys let's count up all the donations
Split the take and have a little libation
Hard work deserves a little vacation
A celebration, so join us in this dance

Alms for the beggar men
Reach out for someone who truly needs

We are the beggar men
We'll take anything you have to give
Voila we have to live

Interpretation

In the first act of the Hunchback of Notre Dame story, Clopin Trouillefou and the other truands are begging on the streets.  They pretend to be blind, crippled, or leprous, but they are just swindling the good people of Paris, taking in money that could have been given to those truly in need.  They will spend their money on alcohol and celebrations of their cleverness.