The Bells of Notre Dame

"The Bells of Notre Dame" is the opening song featured in the 2019 musical film, The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Lyrics
Chorus: Olim, olim, Deus accelere (Someday, someday, God speed) Hoc sæculum splendium (This bright millennium) Accelere fiat venire olim (Let it come someday)

Congregation: Morning in Paris, the city awakes To the Bells of Notre Dame The fisherman fishes, the bakerman bakes To the Bells of Notre Dame

Phoebus: To the big bells as loud as the thunder

Congregation: To the little bells soft as a psalm And some say the soul of the city's The toll of the Bells The Bells of Notre Dame

Long years ago did this story begin in this place called Notre Dame Two orphan brothers were both taken in by the Grace of Notre Dame

Frollo: Claude, the older who cared for his brother

Jehan: Young Jehan, full of beauty and charm

Both: And they lived and they grew And awoke to the music of Bells The Bells of Notre Dame

Chorus: Kyrie, Eléison (Lord, have mercy)

Frollo: Oh dear brother Meet these arches and this Sacred dome

Chorus: Kyrie, Eléison (Lord, have mercy)

Frollo: We are Blessed to find our Sanctuary and our home.

Congregation: Righteous Claude Frollo Was ever more drawn Like a son to Notre Dame Not like his profligate brother Jehan Who'd have none of Notre Dame Though as brothers they loved one another Frollo watched in despair and alarm As Jehan who grew wild And defied and defiled All the Laws The Laws of Notre Dame

Chorus: Kyrie, Eléison (Lord, have mercy)

Father Dupin: You must leave, Jehan, This holy refuge where you've dwelled

Jehan: Leave? But Father—

Father Dupin: Sorry Claude, but I've no choice Your brother is expelled

Congregation: And Frollo didn't hear from his brother for several years. Meanwhile… Frollo was acsended Uncommonly fast through the ranks of Notre Dame Till he was named the Archdeacon at last And gave thanks to Notre Dame And then one doleful day got a message

Frollo: And the name that it bore was "Jehan"

Congregation: And concealing his face Frollo strolled to a place Far away… Away from Notre Dame

Frollo: Jehan! …Let me take you back. I'll bring you home.

Brother dearest, come with me Where we will find a remedy And Notre Dame once more will be Your Sanctuary Healing you will be my goal Not just your body, but your soul We’ll be together in our Holy Sanctuary

Jehan: Enough, Claude! It's too late for me anyway. But if you have truly discovered charity at this late date, there is someone you can help. Frollo: A baby? Yours? A…a monster! It's God's punishment on you! The wicked shall not go unpunished! Jehan: I should have known! I was a fool to think you'd look after him! Frollo: Look after him? Me? Jehan: There is no one else! Take him…if you can find anymore heart.

Frollo: Jehan? Jehan?!

Chorus: Dies iræ, dies illa (Day of wrath, that day) Solvet sæclum in favilla (Shall consume the world in ashes) Kyrie, Eléison (Lord, have mercy)

Congregation: And the Saints regarded Frollo From their stone façade

Chorus: Kyrie, Eléison (Lord, have mercy)

Congregation: And he felt their gaze As if it were the Eyes of God

Frollo: O Lord, You've sent me a test. This child is my cross to bear. I may not have saved my brother, but I will save this… thing.

See this loathesome creature From whom lesser men would flee I will keep and care for him And teach him at my knee To think like me

Congregation: And Frollo gave the child a name. A cruel name that means half-formed…

Frollo: Quasimodo!

Congregation: Now here is a riddle to guess if you can Sing the Bells of Notre Dame

Quasimodo: What makes a monster and what makes a man?

Congregation: What makes a monster and what makes a man? Sing the bells, bells, bells, bells, Bells, bells, bells, bells, Bells of Notre Dame!