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This page was made Song of the Month for March 2021. | ||
"Poor Unfortunate Souls" is a song from Disney's 1989 animated film The Little Mermaid. It features Ursula tricking and manipulating protagonist Ariel into making a deal with her so she may become human, but at a cost. The song was performed by Ursula's voice actress, the late Pat Carroll.
A cover of the song was used in the 2017 television movie Descendants 2, performed by Ursula's daughter, Uma, played by China Anne McClain.
The song would later be used in the 2023 live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, this time performed by Ursula's actress Melissa McCarthy.
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 here lately, please don't laugh,
I use it on behalf
of the miserable, 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 'cross the coals
Yes I've had the odd complaint
But on the whole I've been a saint
to those poor unfortunate souls
[Have we got a deal?]
[If I become human, I'll never be with my father or sisters again.]
[That's right! But you'll have your man. Life's full of tough choices, isn'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.]
[But I don't have-]
[I'm not asking much, just a token, really, a trifle. You won't even miss it. What I want from you is: your voice.]
[My voice?]
[You've got it, sweetcheeks. No more talking, singing, zip!]
[But with out my voice, how can I-]
You'll have your looks. Your pretty face! And don't underestimate the importance of body language! Ha!
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, they're not all that impressed with conversation
True gentlemen avoid it when they can!
But they dote and swoon and fawn
on a lady who's withdrawn
It's she who holds her tongue who get's a 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 got the 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 is on a roll!
This poor unfortunate soul!
Beluga Sevruga, come winds of the Caspian Sea
Larynxes Glacydis Ad max Laryngitis la voce to me
[Now... Sing!]
[Keep singing!]
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
And I fortunately know a little magic
It's a talent that I always have possessed
And here lately, please don't laugh
I use it on behalf
Of the miserable, lonely, and depressed
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
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 'cross the coals
Yes I've had the odd complaint
But on the whole I've been a saint
To those poor unfortunate souls
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
Poor unfortunate souls
So sad, so true
They come flocking to my cauldron
Crying, "Spells, Ursula, please!"
And I help them!
Yes I do
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?
They're not all that impressed with conversation
True gentlemen avoid it when they can
But they dote and swoon and fawn
On a lady who's withdrawn
It's she who holds her tongue who gets a 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!
(Yeah, yeah)
Poor unfortunate soul
It's sad
(So sad)
But true
If you want to cross the bridge
You've got the pay the toll
Take a gulp and take a breath
And go ahead and
(Come on you)
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
(Come on you)
Poor unfortunate souls
In pain, in need
They come flocking to my cauldron
Crying, "Spells, Ursula, please!"
And I help them!
Yes I do!
I admit that in the past I've been a nasty
They weren't kidding when they called me kinda strange
But you'll find that nowadays
I've mended all my ways
Repented, seen the light, and made a change
And I fortunately know a little secret
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 me crying
"Will you help us, pretty please?"
And I help them? Yes I do!
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?
They're not all that impressed with conversation
True gentlemen avoid it when they can
But they dote and swoon and fawn
on ladies who withdrawn
It's she who holds her tongue who gets a man
Poor unfortunate souls
Go ahead! Make your choice!
I'm a very busy person and I haven't got all day
It won't cost much. Just your voice!
Those poor unfortunate souls
So sad, so true
If you wanna cross the bridge, my sweet, you've got the pay the toll
Take a gulp, take a breath, go ahead, sign the scroll
Nick and Kevin, now I've got her, boys
The boss is on a roll
You 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 me crying
"Will you help us, pretty please?"
And I help them? Yes I do!
Those poor unfortunate souls
[Ha ha ha ha ha ha! Oooh!]
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
To this!
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 'cross the coals
Yes, I've had the odd complaint
But on the whole I've been a saint
To those poor unfortunate souls
Now here's the deal
If you dare, there's a potion I'll prepare
Just consume it, you'll be human
Three whole days up above
By the end of day three
Listen up, this is key!
Just convince Mr. Prince
And get a kiss of true love
If I do?
Ursula: Lucky you
You stay human, through and through
You can go, wed your beau
And be totally divine
And if not?
Then guess what girl
You turn back into a mergirl
Same as you once were girl
But that tail will be mine
Don't be shy, dear
What will it be?
You want the guy, dear?
Leave it to me
But what about my father? And my family?
Ursula: Hmm. Sorry, dear
There's no way to spin it
Life's full of tough choices, innit?
One last thing, silly me
Did I mention there's a fee?
Nothing choice, just your voice
No more talking, singing, zip
Not a word?
Not a note, not a whisper from your throat
Show some spine, you'll be fine
Honey, here's a little tip:
You'll have your looks... your pretty face... and don't forget to underestimate the power of body language!
[Ha ha ha! Whoo-oo-oo! Yeah!]
The men up there don't like a lot of blabber
They think a girl who gossips is a bore!
And on land it's much preferred for ladies not to say a word
And after all, dear, what is idle prattle for?
Come on you poor unfortunate souls
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
So sad, but true
If you want to cross the bridge, my sweet, you've got the pay the toll
Take a gulp, take a breath, and go ahead and sign the scroll
Flotsam, Jetsam, now I've got her, boys
The boss is on a roll!
You poor unfortunate souls!
Yeah!
Beluga, sevruga, come winds of the Caspian Sea...
Larynxes, glaucitis, et max laryngitis, la voce to me!
Now, sing!
(Ah ah ah, ah ah ah
Ah ah ah, ah ah ah)
[Keep singing!]
(Ah ah ah, ah ah ah
Ah ah ah, ah ah ah...)
[Ha ha ha ha ha! Wa ha ha ha ha!...]
Other Appearances[]
- The song was featured on the following albums:
- The Little Mermaid (An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack)
- The Little Mermaid (An Original Walt Disney Records Soundtrack) [Special Edition]
- The Little Mermaid (Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Walt Disney Records: The Legacy Collection]
- The Little Mermaid Greatest Hits
- Classic Disney - Volume I
- McDonald's Celebrates Disney Music - Volume 2: Rascal Songs
- Disney's Greatest - Volume 3
- Disney Villains: Simply Sinister Songs
- ICON: Disney Villains
- Cruella's Favorite Villain Songs
- An instrumental version was featured on the album Disney's Karaoke Series: The Little Mermaid
- The song's demo, performed by Howard Ashman, was featured in the album Howard Sings Ashman.
- The song appears in the Broadway musical, sung by Ursula's actress, Sherie Rene Scott.
- The song was covered by the Jonas Brothers for The Little Mermaid Special Edition Soundtrack, with slightly altered lyrics.
- The song appears in the HalloWishes firework shows at Disney Parks.
- The song appears in The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure ride at Disney Parks.
- The song appears in the show Voyage of The Little Mermaid at the park Disney's Hollywood Studios.
- The song appeared in the 2019 television special The Little Mermaid Live! performed by Queen Latifah as Ursula.
- The song was performed on the jukebox musical revue On the Record.
Gallery[]
Images[]
Videos[]
Official[]
Alternate Language Versions
Covers[]
See Also[]
 Songs
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