Hellfire

"Hellfire" is a song from Disney's 1996 animated feature The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The song is sung by the film's villain, Judge Claude Frollo, who is voiced by the late Tony Jay. The song "Hellfire" was intended to contrast the song "Heaven's Light", which was a song that was sung by Quasimodo moments earlier, expressing his feelings of love for Esmeralda. The song is considered to be one of the darkest songs in any Disney film, depicting both Hell and lust, two subjects that are generally considered to be inappropriate for children. This song and sequence prompted the ratings board to consider a PG rating for the film.

Lyrics
Quasimodo: So many times out there

I've watched a happy pair

Of lovers walking in the night

They had a kind of glow around them

It almost looked like Heaven's light

I knew I'd never know

That warm and loving glow

Though I might wish with all my might

No face as hideous as my face

Was ever meant for Heaven's light

But suddenly angel has smiled at me

And kissed my cheek without a trace of fright

I dare to dream that she

Might even care for me

And as I ring these bells tonight

My cold, dark tower seems so bright

I swear it must be Heaven's light

Church Chorus:

Confiteor Deo Omnipotenti (I confess to God almighty)

Beatae Mariae semper Virgini (To blessed Mary ever Virgin)

Beato Michaeli archangelo (To the blessed archangel Michael)

Sanctis apostolis omnibus sanctis (To the holy apostles, to all the saints)

Frollo:

Beata Maria

You know I am a righteous man

Of my virtue I am justly proud

(Et tibit Pater (And to you, Father))

Beata Maria

You know I'm so much purer than

The common, vulgar, weak, licentious crowd

(Quia peccavi nimis (That I have sinned))

Then tell me, Maria

Why I see her dancing there

Why her smold'ring eyes still scorch my soul

(Cogitatione (In thought))

I feel her, I see her

The sun caught in her raven hair

Is blazing in me out of all control

(Verbo et opere (In word and deed))

Like fire

Hellfire

This fire in my skin

This burning

Desire

Is turning me to sin

It's not my fault

(Mea culpa (Through my fault))

I'm not to blame

(Mea culpa (Through my fault))

It is the gypsy girl

The witch who sent this flame

(Mea maxima culpa (Through my most griveous fault))

It's not my fault

(Mea culpa (Through my fault))

If in God's plan

(Mea culpa (Through my fault))

He made the devil so much

Stronger than a man

(Mea maxima culpa (Through my most griveous fault))

Protect me, Maria

Don't let this siren cast her spell

Don't let her fire sear my flesh and bone

Destroy Esmeralda

And let her taste the fires of hell

Or else let her be mine and mine alone

(song pauses, guard knocks on the door)

Guard: Minister Frollo, the gypsy has escaped

Frollo: (speaking) What?

Guard: She's nowhere in the cathedral.

She's gone.

Frollo: But how? I... Never mind. Get out! Get out, you idiot! I'll find her! I'll find her if I have to burn down all of Paris

(song resumes) Hellfire

Dark fire

Now gypsy, it's your turn

Choose me or

Your pyre

Be mine or you will burn

(Kyrie Eleison (Lord have mercy))

God have mercy on her

(Kyrie Eleison (Lord have mercy))

God have mercy on me

(Kyrie Eleison (Lord have mercy))

But she will be mine

Or she will burn!

Disney Parks
Hellfire has become a track commonly associated with Disney Villains as an instrumental in various Disney park shows, such as in World of Color, the Tokyo DisneySea version of Fantasmic!, and in fireworks shows such as Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams, Believe...There's Magic in the Stars and HalloWishes. It can also be heard as background music in the France Pavilion at Epcot.