It's the most beautiful song in the show and possibly the most beautiful tune Loewe ever wrote. In the original, and normally, it comes in and out between Merlin's farewell monologue. The song mellifluously captures the enchantress' spell over Merlin, and then ends powerfully the entire opening sequence and perfectly punctuates the role of Merlin in the piece.
In short it is superb musical dramaturgy.
No wonder they cut it. |