Lyric discussion by Miao 

Cover art for Turning lyrics by Les Misérables

Wow! No interpretations for this? Ok, I'll start this off!

Meaning? Hopelessness. The hopelessness of the cycle of life and death. These women, mothers, sisters, daughters, friends, gave their hearts to these young men and now they're gone. And they always leave. Always. It's a mourning song and they realize that nothing is ever going to change. You live, you love, and then they die. They always leave and die.

I'm surprised that this melody is never shared with Fantine because she's one of the people in the show who would know the most about this. Her lover left her with a child to care for.

TL;DR It's sad.