"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!
