Hellfire – English Lyrics

• By: Tay Zonday
• Album: The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into the powerful narrative and dramatic intensity of Tay Zonday's cover of "Hellfire." This song, originally from Disney's *The Hunchback of Notre Dame*, offers a masterclass in expressing profound internal conflict and dark obsession. Learning the lyrics allows you to explore rich vocabulary related to morality, desire, and judgment, while appreciating Tay Zonday's distinctive vocal delivery that brings a fresh perspective to this classic villain's anthem.

[English]

Beata Maria

You know I am a righteous man

Of my virtue I am justly proud

Beata Maria

You know I'm so much purer than

The common, vulgar, weak, licentious crowd

Then tell me, Maria

Why I see her dancing there

Why her smold'ring eyes still scorch my soul

I feel her, I see her

The sun caught in raven hair

Is blazing in me out of all control

Like fire

Hellfire

This fire in my skin

This burning

Desire

Is turning me to sin

It's not my fault

I'm not to blame

It is the gypsy girl

The witch who sent this flame

It's not my fault

If in God's plan

He made the devil so much

Stronger than a man

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

What?

(Guard) She's nowhere in the Cathedral, she's gone.

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

God have mercy on her

God have mercy on me

But she will be mine

Or she will burn!

Subtitles - Joachim Borup

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
righteous /ˈraɪtʃəs/ B2	adjective - morally right or justifiable
virtue /ˈvɜːrtʃuː/ B2	noun - behavior showing high moral standards
licentious /laɪˈsɛnʃəs/ C2	adjective - promiscuous or sexually unrestrained
smoldering /ˈsmoʊldərɪŋ/ C2	verb - burn slowly with smoke but no flame adjective - showing or feeling strong but suppressed emotion
scorch /skɔːrtʃ/ C2	verb - burn the surface of with sudden intense heat
raven /ˈreɪvən/ C2	adjective - of the glossy black color of a raven bird
blazing /ˈbleɪzɪŋ/ C1	verb - burn fiercely or brightly adjective - very hot or bright
hellfire /ˈhɛlˌfaɪər/ C2	noun - the fire of hell; eternal punishment
burning /ˈbɜːrnɪŋ/ B2	noun - the process of combustion verb - be or cause to be on fire adjective - very hot or passionate
desire /dɪˈzaɪər/ B2	noun - a strong feeling of wanting something
sin /sɪn/ B2	noun - an immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law
witch /wɪtʃ/ B1	noun - a woman thought to have magic powers
devil /ˈdɛvəl/ B1	noun - the supreme spirit of evil
siren /ˈsaɪrən/ C2	noun - a creature that lures sailors to their death with song
sear /sɪr/ C2	verb - burn or scorch with sudden intense heat
destroy /dɪˈstrɔɪ/ B2	verb - end the existence of something by damaging or attacking it
pyre /ˈpaɪər/ C2	noun - a heap of combustible material for burning a corpse as part of a funeral ceremony
mercy /ˈmɜːrsi/ B2	noun - compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone