Amore
Lia de Bahia Lyrics

The above lyrics are from the Visite de Frollo à Esmeralda (or Frollo’s Visit to Esmeralda) song in the French musical Notre-Dame de Paris. The scene depicts Frollo, a priest who is secretly in love with Esmeralda, a Gypsy woman who has been falsely accused of murder. In the song, Frollo arrives to inform Esmeralda that she will be executed in an hour and attempts to justify his actions by expressing his love for her.

The lyrics reveal a complex relationship between the two characters, showcasing Frollo’s conflicting emotions of love and hate for Esmeralda. He claims he is there to “prepare” her for death, but his words and actions suggest that he enjoys having power over her. He listens to the ringing of the bell, knowing that it signals Esmeralda's impending death, and insists that she will dance before the gallows. When Esmeralda questions why he hates her, Frollo responds that it is not hate, but rather love that he feels.

Esmeralda, on the other hand, is confused by Frollo’s sudden expression of love. She wonders why a poor Gypsy woman like herself could attract the affection of a priest from Notre-Dame. The song effectively showcases the internal conflicts of both characters as they confront their emotions and imminent fate.