Hellfire

I've always loved Disney's Hunchback of Notre-Dame. I had an urge one day to watch the movie so I googled and download it (boys and girls, please rent/buy the DVD). The Hunchback of Notre-Dame was probably the darkest, 'adult' movie made by Disney. It contains themes of lust, hell, social injustice (prejudice) and murder. Back when I first watched it (when I was around 7/8) I didn't really understand the deeper 'issues' the movie focuses on...but now that I've re-watched it, my view of this movie has changed- not in a bad way, rather, in a way where I watch/listen in awe of how the producers tell this wonderful tale.

'Hellfire' (video above) is a perfect example of the producers' incredible story telling. Judge Claude Frollo, the antagonist of the film sings about his infatuation, lust and hate for Esmeralda; convinced he's under her 'black spell'. He hallucinates: a fiery silhouette (Esmeralda), foreboding shadows, monks in red cloaks (most probably his conscience) - Desire/Hate, Good/Bad, Salvation/hell?? - ahhh, this is probably my favourite part of the movie!

Why I like the song so much? Because of the way it was done: Frollo's baritone voice against the Confiteor which contrasts with what Frollo actually sings (see below). Frollo blames his lust for Esmeralda on the spell she has supposedly cast - 'it's not my fault, I'm not to blame!'. But he know that deep down in his conscience (represented by the red-cloaked monks), he knows that that's not true - "mea culpa, mea maxima culpa (through my fault, through my grievous fault)". Ultimately, he reaches a conclusion: to let her burn on the pyre or to keep Esmeralda to himself. It is only near the end of the song when the chanting and Frollo's plea become similar - "God have mercy on her" (Kyrie Eleison - Lord have mercy), "God have mercy on me" (Kyrie Eleison - Lord have mercy). I think it's a wonderfully crafted song...and I hope you'll enjoy the thought and effort the song writer and composer put into a mere 3 minutes of screen-time.

Priests

Confiteor Deo Omnipotenti (I confess to God almighty)

Beatae Mariae semper Virgini (To blessed Mary ever Virgin)

Beato Michaeli archangelo (To the blessed archangel Michael)

Sanctis apostolis omnibus sanctis (To the holy apostles, to all the saints)

Frollo

Beata Maria

You know I am a righteous man

Of my virtue I am justly proud

Priests

Et tibit Pater (And to you, Father)

Frollo

Beata Maria

You know I'm so much purer than

The common, vulgar, weak, licentious crowd

Priests

Quia peccavi nimis (That I have sinned)

Frollo

Then tell me, Maria

Why I see her dancing there

Why her smold'ring eyes still scorch my soul

Priests

Cogitatione (In thought)

Frollo

I feel her, I see her

The sun caught in raven hair

Is blazing in me out of all control

Priests

Verbo et opere (In word and deed)

Frollo

Like fire

Hellfire

This fire in my skin

This burning

Desire

Is turning me to sin

It's not my fault

Priests

Mea culpa (Through my fault)

Frollo

I'm not to blame

Priests

Mea culpa (Through my fault)

Frollo

It is the gypsy girl

The witch who sent this flame

Priests

Mea maxima culpa (Through my most griveous fault)

Frollo

It's not my fault

Priests

Mea culpa (Through my fault)

Frollo

If in God's plan

Priests

Mea culpa (Through my fault)

Frollo

He made the devil so much

Stronger than a man

Priests

Mea maxima culpa (Through my most griveous fault)

Frollo

Protect me, Maria

Don't let this siren cast her spell

Don't let her fire sear my flesh and bone

Destroy Esmeralda

And let her taste the fires of hell

Or else let her be mine and mine alone

Guard

Minister Frollo, the gypsy has escaped

Frollo

What?

Guard

No longer in the cathedral. She's gone

Frollo

But how? Never mind. Get out, you idiot

I'll find her. I'll find her if I have to burn down all of Paris

Hellfire

Dark fire

Now gypsy, it's your turn

Choose me or

Your pyre

Be mine or you will burn

Priests

Kyrie Eleison (Lord have mercy)

Frollo

God have mercy on her

Priests

Kyrie Eleison (Lord have mercy)

Frollo

God have mercy on me

Priests

Kyrie Eleison (Lord have mercy)

Frollo

But she will be mine

Or she will burn!

Btw, baritone voices are sexy... (O.O)

ENJOY!!
GL out