Disney Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Disney Wiki

"Esmeralda" is the closing number of Act I in the stage musical version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. This song, high on drama and plot, takes place when Frollo is searching for Esmeralda and Phoebus realizes that he would rather be “good than smart”, (morality over career ambition) and he disobeys Frollo. At this, Frollo condemns Phbebus to death, but Phoebus manages to flee with Esmeralda’s help. Frollo then begins to burn down Paris in search of the two fugitives while Quasimodo worries. By the end of the song, Phoebus is spotted on the bridge and shot with an arrow. Esmeralda appears and tries to save him, but Phoebus falls into the Seine with Esmeralda diving in after him. 

Lyrics[]

Esmeralda:
In my life, I've seen some things
Cruelty and heartlessness
And the danger fighting them brings
When a fight comes, I say "yes"
I am just a fool...

Phoebus:
... I am just a fool, I guess

Frollo:
Coward! Traitor! Gypsy's pawn!
You're relieved of your patrol

Phoebus:
Consider it my highest honor.

Frollo:
Kyrie eleison
God have mercy on your soul

Do away with this seditious ingrate!

Clopin:
And as his bow, the soldier drew
Who should appear - the gypsy Esmeralda
She hurled a stone, the arrow flew
And then they both escaped into the dark...

Frollo:
Don't stand there, get them! I don't care if you have to burn down all of Paris!

Hunt down the gypsy Esmeralda
Don't let her flee
And vanish in the night
These are the flames of Esmeralda
While she is free
Our torches will burn bright

Frollo and Soldiers:
Hunt down the gypsy Esmeralda
Don't let her flee
And vanish in the night
These are the flames of Esmeralda
While she is free
Our torches will burn bright

Quasimodo:
Fire! Fire! Smoke and flame!
Esmeralda, where are you?
In this dark, I call your name
Is that all that I can do?

Phoebus:
What have I done for Esmeralda?
Why do I hear her voice inside my head?
Why do I think of Esmeralda?
With my career and prospects left for dead

Frollo:
Once more my duty calls
Paris is burning
Lit to expose that furtive pair
Sneaking about out there

Quasimodo:
Out there somewhere she is lost

Phoebus and Frollo:
Somewhere she is lost

Quasimodo:
Esmeralda!

Quasimodo, Frollo, and Phoebus:
Where is the girl called Esmeralda?
The flames grow tall
And sharp as fleurs-de-lis

Ensemble:
Misericordia

Quasimodo, Frollo, and Phoebus:
All Paris burns for Esmeralda
And still it all
Comes down to her and me

Ensemble:
Et dona nobis pacem

Frollo:
The devil dwells in Esmeralda

Ensemble:
Pacem

Quasimodo:
Oh, Esmeralda!
Oh, Esmeralda!

Phoebus:
I've got to find her

Frollo:
Resist his charm

Quasimodo and Gargoyles:
Wake up the city and sound the alarm!

Frollo and Soldiers:
Wake up the city and sound the alarm!

Clopin and Ensemble:
Wake up the city and sound the alarm!

All Principles:
These are the flames of Esmeralda
The night is singing
Of Esmeralda
Even the bells of Notre Dame!

Official:
By royal edict, warrant of arrest:
The gypsy known as Esmeralda
Being under suspicion of sorcery, witchcraft
And the arts of Hell
Anyone found harboring or helping her
Will be charged as well

Frollo:
Hunt down the gypsy Esmeralda
Don't let her flee
And vanish in the night
These are the flames of Esmeralda
While she is free
Your torches must burn bright

Phoebus & Soldiers:
Hunt down the gypsy Esmeralda
Don't let her flee
And vanish in the night
These are the flames of Esmeralda
While she is free
Our torches will burn bright

Frollo:
Have no fear, my boy. We will find her and capture her!

The wicked shall not go unpunish-ed
The heart of the wicked is of little worth
The wicked shall not go unpunish-ed

Congregant:
All through the city, at more fevered pitch
Than the bells of Notre Dame...

Phoebus:
Two gold pieces for the one who leads us to Esmeralda!

Congregant:
Frollo's men sought Esmeralda the witch
With the might of Notre Dame

Phoebus:
Four gold pieces for the one who leads us to Esmeralda!

Congregants:
Till at last, they were told of a brothel
Where they sometimes hid gypsies from harm
But the madam, that whore
Denied it and swore by the Saints
The Saints of Notre Dame

Soldiers:
We're looking for La Esmeralda.

Madam:
Never heard of her.

Frollo:
If you want your house to remain standing, give us the gypsy girl.

Madam:
I know nothing of gypsy girls.

Frollo:
Very well. We'll set fire to it. Burn it. Did you hear me, Captain?

Phoebus:
And he held the torch
That crackled like the gypsy's voice...

Frollo:
Are you disobeying a direct order?

Phoebus:
And he knew this was the moment
He must make a choice

Frollo:
I knew it. She's bewitched you, too. You would throw away a promising career? Captain? Carry out the order!

Choir:
God help the outcasts
They look to you still
God help the outcasts
Or nobody will

Phoebus:
God help the outcasts
Or nobody will!

Frollo:
Coward! Traitor! Gypsy's pawn!
You're relieved of your patrol

Phoebus:
Consider it my highest honor.

Frollo:
Kyrie Eleison
God have mercy on your soul!

Arrest Captain Phoebus.

Esmeralda:
No!

Frollo:
You see?! There she is!

Good people of Paris
I've heard the calling of the Lord
The time has come to take our city back
We'll save our Paris
Expunge this heathen gypsy horde
Before we're overrun, we must attack!

Frollo, Soldiers & Congregation:
Hunt down the gypsy and the soldier
Don't let them flee
And vanish in the night
We'll find the gypsy and the soldier
While they are free
Our torches will burn bright

Quasimodo:
Fire! Fire! Smoke and flame!
Esmeralda, where are you?
In this dark, I call your name
Is that all that I can do?

Phoebus:
What have I done for Esmeralda?
Why did I hear her words inside my head?
And still I think of Esmeralda
With my career and body left for dead

Quasimodo:
Out there somewhere she is lost

Phoebus & Frollo:
Somewhere she is lost

Quasimodo:
Esmeralda!

All:
Where is the girl called Esmeralda?
The flames grow tall
And sharp as fleurs-de-lis

Choir:
Misericordia

All:
All Paris burns for Esmeralda

Quasimodo, Frollo, and Phoebus:
And still it all
Comes down to her and me

Choir:
Et dona nobis pacem

Frollo:
The devil dwells in Esmeralda

Quasimodo & Phoebus:
Oh, Esmeralda!
Oh, Esmeralda!

Frollo:
Resist his charm...

Quasimodo & Congregation:
Wake up the city and sound the alarm!

Frollo & Soldiers:
Wake up the city and sound the alarm!

Choir:
Wake up the city and sound the alarm!

Frollo, Clopin & Congregation:
These are the flames of Esmeralda

Choir:
Dona nobis pacem

Frollo, Clopin & Congregation:
The night is singing

Choir:
Dona nobis pacem

Frollo, Clopin & Congregation:
Of Esmeralda

Choir:
Dona nobis pacem

All:
Even the bells of Notre Dame!


v - e - d
The-hunchback-of-notre-dame-logo
Media
Films: The Hunchback of Notre Dame (video/soundtrack/Studio Cast Recording) • The Hunchback of Notre Dame IIHunchback

Television: House of MouseEsmeralda
Video Games: The Hunchback of Notre Dame: Topsy Turvy GamesKingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop DistanceDisney Sorcerer's Arena

Disney Parks
Disney Animation Building

Entertainment: Disney Classics: The Music & The MagicOne Man's Dream II: The Magic Lives OnMickey's Gift of DreamsThe Golden MickeysThe Hunchback of Notre Dame: A Musical Adventure
Restaurants: Clopin's Festival of Foods
Parades: Disney's Party ExpressThe Hunchback of Notre Dame Topsy Turvy Cavalcade
Fireworks: Believe... There's Magic in the StarsDisney Dreams!Happily Ever AfterHarmoniousMomentousWorld of ColorWonderful World of AnimationWondrous Journeys
Spring: Disney's Easter Wonderland
Summer: Stitch and Friends Summer Surprise
Halloween: Frightfully Fun ParadeHappy HallowishesIt's Good to be Bad with the Disney VillainsKooky Spooky Halloween NightRe-Villains! Halloween ParadeThe Disney Villains Halloween ShowtimeVillains GroveVillains Mix and MingleVillains Night Out! Chapter 2
Christmas: A Christmas Fantasy Parade

Characters
Original: QuasimodoEsmeraldaClaude FrolloPhoebusVictor, Hugo, and LaverneDjaliClopinArchdeaconAchillesBrutish and Oafish GuardsFrollo's SoldiersOld PrisonerQuasimodo's MotherQuasimodo's FatherSnowball

Sequel: MadellaineZephyrSarousch

Songs
Original: The Bells of Notre DameOut ThereTopsy TurvyHumiliationGod Help the OutcastsThe Bell TowerHeaven's LightHellfireParis BurningA Guy Like YouThe Court of MiraclesSanctuaryAnd He Shall Smite the WickedInto the SunlightSomeday

Sequel: Le Jour D'AmourAn Ordinary MiracleI'd Stick With YouFa la la la Fallen In LoveI'm Gonna Love You
Musical: Balancing ActRest and RecreationRhythm of the TambourineInto Notre DameTop of the WorldThai Mol PiyasEsmeraldaCity Under SiegeFlight Into EgyptOut of Love (Reprise) • Made of StoneFinale Ultimo
Deleted Songs: In a Place of MiraclesAs Long As There's a MoonSomeday

Locations
ParisNotre Dame de ParisPalace of JusticeCourt of Miracles
Miscellaneous
MusicalDisney Sing Along Songs: Topsy TurvyThe Making of The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Advertisement