Album: The Little Mermaid

Poor Unfortunate Souls [Pat Carroll, Jodi Benson]


Thanks to Julia James for submitting
the lyrics

I admit that in the past I’ve been a nasty
They weren’t kidding when they called me, well, a witch
But you’ll find that nowadays, I’ve mended all my ways
Repented, seen the light and made a switch
True? Yes

And I fortunately know a little magic
It’s a talent that I always have possessed
And dear lady, please don’t laugh, I use it on behalf
Of the miserable, the lonely and depressed (pathetic)

Poor unfortunate souls
In pain, in need
This one longing to be thinner
That one wants to get the girl
And do I help them? Yes, indeed
Those poor unfortunate souls
So sad, so true
They come flocking to my cauldron
Crying "spells, Ursula please!"
And I help them? Yes, I do

Now it’s happened once or twice
Someone couldn’t pay the price
And I’m afraid I had to rake ‘em across the coals
Yes, I’ve had the odd complaint
But on the whole I’ve been a saint
To those poor unfortunate souls

Ursula : Have we got a deal?
Ariel : If I become human, I’ll never be with my father or sisters again.
Ursula : But… you’ll have your man. Life’s full of tough choices, ain’t it? Oh, and there is one more thing. We haven’t discussed the subject of payment. You can’t get something for nothing, you know.
Ariel : But I haven’t got—
Ursula : What I’m asking is just token really, a trifle. You’ll never miss it. What I want from you is… your voice.
Ariel : My voice?
Ursula : You got it sweetcakes. No more talking, singing – zip.
Ariel : But without my voice, how can I?

You have your looks, your pretty face
And don’t underestimate the importance of body language

The men up there don’t like a lot of blabber
They think a girl who gossips is a bore
Yes, on land it’s much preferred
For ladies not to say a word
And after all, dear, what is idle prattle for?

Come on then
They’re not all that impressed with conversation
True gentlemen avoid it when they can
But they dote and swoon and fawn
On the lady who’s withdrawn
And she who holds her tongue’ll get her man

Come on, you poor unfortunate soul
Go ahead, make your choice
I’m a very busy woman and I haven’t got all day
It won’t cost much, just your voice

You poor unfortunate soul
It’s sad, but true

If you want to cross the bridge, my sweet
You’ve to pay the toll
Take a gulp and take a breath
And go ahead and sign the scroll
Flotsam, Jetsam, now I’ve got her boys
The boss in on a roll
This poor unfortunate soul

Beluga, sevruga
Come winds of the Caspian sea
Larynxes, glossitis
Et max laryngitis
La voce to me
Now sing...