Balancing Act

Tanz auf dem Seil (Balancing Act) is first new song of the show. It introduces Clopin as the Leader of the Gypsies and to Esmeralda. Clopin starts the song by telling the audience and the new members of the Court of Miracles what roles they play in Paris as Gypsies. Those roles are beggars, artist, and the scapegoats and they must understand them in order to surive. One of the newcomers catches Clopin’s attention and that is Esmeralda, a dancer. Esmeralda had to move to Paris as she can’t keep her opinions to herself and it gets her into trouble but she is determine to try and make Paris her home.

Lyrics
CLOPIN Welcome to Paris Parasites and rubble Though there's still our share of trouble we attract Whereas our wretched race is Banned or killed in other other places Here we have a sort of silent pact And life is like A balancing act!

GYPSIES Welcome to Paris Parasites and rubble We have rules here Learn them on the double

CLOPIN We Gypsies here in Paris Have our specified roles to play

GYPSIES We Gypsies here in Paris Have our specified roles to play

CLOPIN And if we play them nice enough Then maybe they'll let us stay

GYPSIES And if we play them nice enough Then maybe we'll stay

CLOPIN First there is the beggar So forlorn and forsaken Next the street-performer they acclaim

GYPSY Make one of those your aim

CLOPIN Last but never least There is the scapegoat who they can blame For all their troubles And we try to keep the times We're pitied or petted Greater than the times we are attacked

FEMALE GYPSIES Sometimes we're spared...

MALE GYPSIES Sometimes we're smacked...

CLOPIN It's a balancing act! Alright, let's get organized. Beggars first! Good, good. Even more pathetic as usual. Now, we need musicians, we need fortune tellers, we need... ahh, what have we here? And what is this beauty's name?

ESMERALDA Esmeralda.

CLOPIN And how are you going to earn your keep, Esmeralda?

ESMERALDA I dance.

CLOPIN Dance. Good. Welcome to Paris, Esmeralda The way you move Is made to make men fall

MALE GYPSIES Esmeralda...

CLOPIN A girl who looks like Esmeralda Is sure to prove An asset to us all

GYPSY WOMAN Asset, hah! She's the reason we got kicked out of Frankfurt!

CLOPIN Oh really? Caught stealing were you?

GYPSY WOMAN She hit a soldier.

CLOPIN Ah. Listen here Esmeralda, you just worry about yourself here. Otherwise you'll soon be on your way to the next town. Is this clear?

ESMERALDA Yes.

(ESMERALDA'S verse)

GYPSIES Welcome to Paris, wretched refuge

ESMERALDA Can it be At last I'll find a home

GYPSIES This is our home now...

ESMERALDA And end to all my years of roaming

GYPSIES We'll have a home...

ESMERALDA I'll hold my tongue

GYPSIES At last a home...

ESMERALDA Control my temper

GYPSIES And in this home

ALL We'll use our wiles and wits and talents As we try to keep on balancing Forever

CLOPIN And when this day is done We should have plenty to celebrate

ESMERALDA / GYPSIES And when this day is done There will be plenty to celebrate

CLOPIN Unless of course it's one When they decide to display their hate

ESMERALDA / GYPSIES Dear God, don't make it one Where they display their hate

CLOPIN Well, no point in worrying It's time to get out there And do our level best to keep intact

ESMERALDA / GYPSIES We'll do our best to keep intact

ALL Our balancing act

ESMERALDA / GYPSIES Welcome to Paris All that we desire Is a home here Dancing on a wire

CLOPIN It's a balancing act

ESMERALDA / GYPSIES And we're ready To accept the fact: Living here is like A balancing act!