As Long As There's a Moon

"As Long as There's a Moon" is a song sung by Phoebus (Alan Menken) & Esmeralda (plus Clopin and the Gypsies) in the Court of Miracles from Disney's 1996 animated film The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Background

Like In a Place of Miracles, this sequence was supposed to occur right after Esmeralda stops the lynching of Quasimodo and Phoebus. The song was another attempt at a romantic/gypsy song, but it was deleted for focusing too much on Esmeralda and Phoebus and replaced by the reprise of The Bells of Notre Dame from the end of the battle sequence and Frollo's death.

Lyrics

Clopin: (speaking & laughing) We'll have our party after all!

(singing): Hanging or wedding, well, what does it matter
You're sure to be roped at the end of the day
Wedding or hanging, the former, the latter, we know either way
You're going to pay

Phoebus (speaking) Hey!

Clopin: Now, now, the groom must pay the bride price. It's another custom.

(singing) But we can't have a wedding planned
Without a wedding band

We need some music so tambourines clatter and break out the fiddles
And play gypsies play

(speaking): No, no, no. Something romantic to set the mood. Ah, that's better.

Gypsies: La la la la la, la la la
Sing a wedding song tonight
For the pretty bride to show her
We're sharing the glow

Clopin: Though our moon is just a lantern
Still, she's shining big and bright
On this happy scene below her

Gypsies & Clopin: So, as long as there's a moon
To wish on
So, as long as there's a song
To croon
We'll throw the wedding jug to keep tradition

Clopin: And hope your love will last
As long as there's a moon

(speaking) One, two, three, a thousand pieces.
That means your marriage will last a thousand years.
And now we must have the joining of the hands.
If our King of Fools will preside.

Quasimodo: (speaking) No, I can't. I...

Phoebus: (speaking) You might as well give in my friend.
I think we're all helpless here.

(singing): Who am I to fight the power?
Of candlelight and mandolins

Seems it would be awfully rude now
Telling them no

Once they start the bridal shower
Once the wedding march begins

Who am I to spoil the mood now?

Phoebus and Esmeralda: So, as long as there's a moon, above us
Oh, it seems a shame to waste this tune
You know
We all want someone to love us
I guess I'll love you
As long as there's a moon

Everyone: They say the moon is like a gypsy
She casts a spell and then she's gone
We know life is strange
Everything could change
With the dawn
Let the night go on
Oh!
As long as there's a moon
To guide us
Home!
Don't let the morning come too soon
You know
We all want someone beside us
None of us a truly solitaire
Every moon is new when someone cares
I will care for you
As long as there's a moon

Gallery

This sequence has storyboards drawn by Paul and Gaëtean Brizzi and Fred Craig.

v - e - d

Media Films: The Hunchback of Notre Dame • The Hunchback of Notre Dame II • Video • The Hunchback of Notre Dame (live-action film) Television: House of Mouse • Esmeralda Video games: The Hunchback of Notre Dame: Topsy Turvy • Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance Music: Soundtrack • Studio Cast Recording Books: Big Golden Book • Classic Storybook • Disney's Wonderful World of Reading Disney Parks Disney Animation Building • Stitch and Friends Summer Surprise Entertainment: Disney Classics: The Music & The Magic • One Man's Dream II: The Magic Lives On • Mickey's Gift of Dreams • The Golden Mickeys • The Hunchback of Notre Dame: A Musical Adventure Restaurants: Clopin's Festival of Foods Parade: Disney's Easter Wonderland • The Hunchback of Notre Dame Topsy Turvy Cavalcade Firework: Believe... There's Magic in the Stars • Disney Dreams! • Happily Ever After • World of Color • Wonderful World of Animation Halloween: Happy Hallowishes • It's Good to be Bad with the Disney Villains • Kooky Spooky Halloween Night • Re-Villains! Halloween Parade • The Disney Villains Halloween Showtime • Villains Grove • Villains Mix and Mingle • Villains Night Out! Chapter 2 Characters Original: Quasimodo • Esmeralda • Claude Frollo • Phoebus • Victor, Hugo, and Laverne • Djali • Clopin • Archdeacon • Achilles • Brutish and Oafish Guards • Frollo's soldiers • Old Prisoner • Quasimodo's mother • Quasimodo's father • Snowball Sequel: Madellaine • Zephyr • Sarousch Songs Original: The Bells of Notre Dame • Out There • Topsy Turvy • Humiliation • God Help the Outcasts • The Bell Tower • Heaven's Light • Hellfire • Paris Burning • A Guy Like You • The Court of Miracles • Sanctuary • And He Shall Smite the Wicked • Into the Sunlight • Someday Sequel: Le Jour D'Amour • An Ordinary Miracle • I'd Stick With You • Fa la la la Fallen In Love • I'm Gonna Love You Musical: Balancing Act • Rest and Recreation • Rhythm of the Tambourine • Into Notre Dame • Top of the World • Thai Mol Piyas • Esmeralda • City Under Siege • Flight Into Egypt • Out of Love (Reprise) • Dance of the Gypsies • Made of Stone • Grand Finale Deleted Songs: In a Place of Miracles • As Long As There's a Moon • Someday Locations Paris • Notre Dame de Paris • Palace of Justice • Court of Miracles Miscellaneous Musical • Disney Sing Along Songs: Topsy Turvy • The Making of The Hunchback of Notre Dame