"Trommeln in der Stadt" (City Under Siege) is a song that uses the instrumental song, "Sanctuary", from the original soundtrack (which is the music playing when Quasimodo is recusing Esmeralda from the Pyre in the movie), whilst including additional lyrics. This song opens Act 2 and it expresses what the citizens think of Crazy Frollo’s search for Esmeralda. At first when they though it as just about “cleansing” the city of Gypsies that was fine but with the all the soldiers, blockages and fire they’re are none too happy about it. It's dramatic and has high energy.
Lyrics[]
SOLDIERS:
City under siege
There are soldiers marching in the street
CHORUS:
Miserere
SOLDIERS:
City under siege
There are cries at night and running feet
CHORUS:
Miserere
CLOPIN:
Frollo and his legions
Policing the town unceasingly
Cordoning the regions
And searching them one-by-one
CITIZENS OF PARIS:
Little did we know
When our Justice Minister
Said the Gypsies ought
To be brought to none
Somehow it would grow
Into something sinister
Till we all were caught
In a city under siege...
City under siege
There are squadrons flanking ev'ry side
City under siege
And it's hard to find a place to hide
Armored men on horses
Imposing a state of martial law
Marshalling their forces
To finish what they've begun
Justice Frollo told us
That he was freeing us
From the Gypsy hordes
Who would overrun
Now we've got his soldiers
Overseeing us
Brandishing their swords
In a city under siege!
