Flight Into Egypt is a song from Act II of the American version of the musical, The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
When Esmeralda leaves a wounded Phoebus in the care of Quasimodo, the statues, figments of Quasimodo's imagination, come to life and reprimand him for not helping her more. The statue of beheaded priest Saint Aphrodisius chimes in, telling Quasimodo to carefully observe the woven band that Esmeralda had given him. He realizes that it is a map of the city from above and that he can use it to find her and flee from Paris with her.
Lyrics[]
Statue:
You have to save her!
Quasimodo:
Save her? Me?
Statues:
Oh, what's the matter? Are you afraid?
Of course he's afraid, and he should be.
But that's what makes you a hero: doing what you're afraid of!
A hero...or a saint!
Quasimodo:
You mean like Saint... Saint... Oh, what's your name again?
Saint Aphrodisius:
Saint Aphrodisius
The Bishop of Beziers
I was beheaded by
A mob in Place Saint-Cyr
And though I made a choice
I did not know would bring
My grizzly martyring
I wouldn't change a thing
For I kept safe and free
The Holy Family
On their flight into Egypt
Land of the date and palm
I offered shelter
To her who is Notre Dame
If that's what I could do
Then, Quasimodo, you can too
Quasimodo:
But even if I could go out there, how can I find her?
Saint Aphrodisius:
The amulet she gave you!
Statues:
But what is it? Just a web and a jewel.
It doesn't mean anything!
Saint Aphrodisius:
No, it must be a clue
Made with guile and art
Statues:
And she gave it to you
Because she knows your smart
Think, Quasimodo
Is it hopeless?
Saint Aphrodisius:
Or can you see in it
Something you've seen before?
Quasimodo:
"Seen before"?
Wait! I know this! Look!
This line, that's a bridge!
That's a street!
And this jewel!
It must show where
We're supposed to meet!
Statues and Saint Aphrodisius:
You've done it, Quasimodo!
This we're certain of!
Quasimodo:
It's a map! It's a map! Look!
It's the city seen from above!
Statues and Saint Aphrodisius:
It's a map of the city from above!
Quasimodo:
I'll do it!
I will go out there while it's dark,
I'll find Esmeralda, and bring her back!
Just like the angel
Who warned Joseph he must flee
I'll save Esmeralda!
Her angel will be me
I'll give her sanctuary
Somewhere safe to hide
Protected at my side
A little like...a bride
Statues:
Like saints in stone and song...
Quasimodo:
For her, I will be strong
Quasimodo, Statues and Saint Aphrodisius:
And (y)our flight into Egypt
May last (y)our whole life long
Yes, that flight into Egypt
Will last...
Quasimodo:
Our whole life long
