"Tanz auf dem Seil" (Balancing Act) is the first new song of the musical, Der Glockner von Notre Dame. 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 survive. One of the newcomers, a beautiful dancer named Esmeralda, catches Clopin's attention. Esmeralda had to move to Paris as she can’t keep her opinions to herself and it gets her into trouble but she is determined to try and make Paris her home.
Lyrics[]
Clopin:
Welcome to Paris
Parasites and rubble
True there's still some trouble you'll attract
Where our race is killed in other places
Here our 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:
We're street performers
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.
Let's see, we need musicians,
we need fortune tellers.
Now, if you lose your way, remember that...
When you wear this woven band, you hold the city in your hand.
Gypsies:
When you wear this woven band, you hold the city in you hand.
Clopin:
We are a ruby, red and pure. And the church a topaz, green as...
Ahh! What do we have 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. Understood?
Esmeralda:
Yes.
Welcome to Paris, Esmeralda
This time, I swear,
I swear with all my might
If I see cruelty or injustice,
I'll leave them there
For someone else to fight
Gypsies:
Welcome to Paris, wretched refuge
Esmeralda:
Can it be
At last I'll find a home?
Gypsies:
This is our home now...
Esmeralda:
An 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 and 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 and Gyspies:
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 and Gypsies:
We'll do our best to keep intact
All:
Our balancing act
Esmeralda:
Welcome to Paris
All that we desire
Is a home here
Dancing on a wire
Clopin:
It's a balancing act
Esmeralda and Gypsies:
And we're ready
To accept the fact:
Living here is like...
All:
A balancing act!
