Disney Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Disney Wiki

"Les Poissons" is a song from the film The Little Mermaid. It is sung by Chef Louis (René Auberjonois). It is a short comic relief song and ends with a classic chase scene between Louis and Sebastian, set to Jacques Offenbach's "Can-Can". It takes place inside Louis's kitchen as he cooks seafood, much to Sebastian's horror before he gets pursued by the chef who attempts to cook him, only to destroy the kitchen in the process and Carlotta to angrily demand him what's he been doing.

Lyrics[]

(Sebastian enters the kitchen, witnesses the dead fish, examines the sharp knives, and gasps.)

(Chef Louis enters the kitchen)

Nouvelle cuisine
Les Champs-Élysées, Maurice Chevalier

Les poissons, les poissons
How I love les poissons!
Love to chop
And to serve little fish.

(*Chop, chop, chop!*)

First I cut off their heads
Then I pull out their bones.
Ah mais oui, ça c'est toujours délice.

(Sebastian comes close to vomiting.)

Les poissons, les poissons
Hee-hee-hee, hon-hon-hon
With a cleaver I hack them in two.

(Sebastian examines a dead fish's head and gasps)

I pull out what's inside
And I serve it up fried.
God, I love little fishes, don't you?

(Louis adds cooked fish to a platter)

Here's something for tempting the palate
Prepared in the classic technique.
First you pound the fish flat with a mallet.

(Louis pounds the table hard)

Then you slash through the skin.
Give the belly a slice.
Then you rub some salt in
'Cause that makes it taste nice.

(Louis removes a leaf from the counter and finds Sebastian hiding underneath)

(Spoken) Zut alors! I have missed one!

(Louis picks up Sebastian)

Sacrebleu! What is this?
How on earth could I miss
Such a sweet little succulent crab?

Quel dommage, what a loss!
Here we go in the sauce.
Now some flour-I think just a dab.

(Sebastian sneezes)

Now I stuff you with bread.
It don't hurt, 'cause you're dead
And you're certainly lucky you are.

(Sebastian spits out the stuffed crab filling)

'Cause it's gonna be hot
In my big silver pot
Tootle-loo, mon poisson, au revoir!

English translation:
New kitchen
The Champs-Élysées, Maurice Chevalier

The fish, the fish
How I love the fish!
Love to chop
And to serve little fish.

First I cut off their heads
Then I pull out their bones.
Ah but yes, that's always delicious.

The fish, the fish
Hee-hee-hee, hon-hon-hon
With a cleaver I hack them in two.

I pull out what's inside
And I serve it up fried.
God, I love little fishes, don't you?

Here's something for tempting the palate
Prepared in the classic technique.
First you pound the fish flat with a mallet.

Then you slash through the skin.
Give the belly a slice.
Then you rub some salt in
'Cause that makes it taste nice.

(Spoken) Damn then! I have missed one!

Damn it! What is this?
How on earth could I miss
Such a sweet little succulent crab?

What a pity, what a loss!
Here we go in the sauce.
Now some flour-I think just a dab.

Now I stuff you with bread.
It don't hurt, 'cause you're dead
And you're certainly lucky you are.

'Cause it's gonna be hot
In my big silver pot
Tootle-loo, my fish, goodbye!

Ah, ze crab!

I'll give you a demonstration,
of my special preparation!

First you nap ze crab!
Zen you grab ze crab!
Zen you STAB ze crab!

Petit Fish (3x)

Set zem out on a dish,
Rip zair skin with a knife,
chop zair huh?

At this point Chef Louis finds Sebastian and starts singing a new song.

C'est si bon!
Zis is nice!
In ze sauce wiz ze spice!

Louis:
And now something truly exquisite
The creme of the creme de la creme!
Ho, ho, ho you may ask, but what is it?
It's a teensy surprise
A delectable treat
One I'm sure you'll just love.
Allez, bon appetit!

Chefs:
Les Poissons, Les Poissons!
Ooh la, la!
Here they are!
Say bonjour to our friends from the sea!
Chef 1: Fish fillet!
Chef 2: Fish pate!
Chef 3: Fish flambe!
Chef 4: Fish tartare!
Louis: It's a fish-how you say?-jamboree!
Chef 5: Curried bass!
Chef 6: Kippered smelt!
Chef 7: Fish-ka-bobs!
Chef 8: Tuna melt!

Louis: If it's grilled, its been grilled to a "t"!

Chefs:
Fish lightly toasted and roasted and steamed!
Tossed in the blender and tenderly creamed
Dish after dish like you'd wish to have dreamed!

Louis:
And now for the grand finale
La piece de resistance
A delicacy, by golly
You won't find in the restaurants!
A tidbit to tease your taste buds
With that certain je ne sais quois
Voila!

Louis:
Pour moi?
Noh! Oui!

Les poissons, les poissons
How I love les poissons!
Love to chop
And to serve little fish.

(*Chop, chop, chop!*)

First I cut off their heads
Then I pull out their bones.
Ah mais oui, ça c'est toujours délice.

Les poissons, les poissons
Hee-hee-hee, hon-hon-hon
With a cleaver I hack them in two.

I pull out what's inside
And I serve it up fried.
God, I love little fishes, don't you?

Here's something for tempting the palate
Prepared in the classic technique.
First you pound the fish flat with a mallet.

Then you slash through the skin.
Give the belly a slice.
Then you rub some salt in
'Cause that makes it taste nice.

(Spoken) Zut alors! I have missed one!

Sacrebleu! What is this?
How on earth could I miss
Such a sweet little succulent crab?

Quel dommage, what a loss!
Here we go in the sauce.
Now some flour-I think just a dab.

Now I stuff you with bread.
It don't hurt, 'cause you're dead
And you're certainly lucky you are.

'Cause it's gonna be hot
In my big silver pot
Tootle-loo, mon poisson, au revoir!

Aha!
Whoa! They are multiplying like rabbits!
(Offenbachi's Galop Infernal plays)
Stop!

Ho ho ho! This way!
Ha ha!
(Cries out)
En garde!

(Offenbachi's Galop Infernal continues)
(Sharp Cries)
(Yells)
(Combative Shouts)

En garde!
(Offenbachi's Galop Infernal continues)
(Combative Cries)

And now something truly exquisite
The creme of the creme de la creme!
Ho, ho, ho, you may ask, but what is it?
Crabs, you don't have me beat!
We'll cook them up nice!
Ha, ha, ha, bon appetit!

You shellfish are so selfish. I'm gonna get you my little crustacean. And now prepare to fry!

Chefs:
Les poissons, les poissons
Ooh, la, la!
Here they are!

Louis:
Au revoir to our friends from the sea!
Fish filet!

Chefs:
Fish pate!

Louis:
Fish flambe!

Chefs:
Fish tartare!

Louis:
It's a fish-how you say?-jamboree!

Chefs:
Curried bass
Kippered smelt!
Fish-ka-bobs!
Tuna melt!

Louis:
Little crabs you'll be grilled to a "t"!

Chefs:
Fish lightly toasted and roasted and steamed!

Louis:
Tossed in the blender and tenderly creamed

Chefs:
Dish after dish
Like wish you'd have dreamed!

Louis:
Les poissons! Aaahhh Aaaaahhhhh
Pffftttt!
Ha ha!
Aha.
I knew I could have played Prince Albert!
Or Eric.
Ha ha ha!
Thank you.
Whoo-hoo!
We'll be right back. (Rasberrys)

Gallery[]

Videos[]

Trivia[]

  • "Les poissons" means "the fish(es)" in French and is plural for "le poisson".
  • The song in the film is immediately followed by Jacques Offenbach's "Can-Can", a classical music piece traditionally associated with Louie's home country of France.
  • The song is referenced on the menu in the "Be Our Guest" scene of the 2017 version of Beauty and the Beast.
  • The reprise version was created for the Broadway musical version.
  • The phrase "mais oui, ça c'est toujours délice", while semi-obvious in meaning, translates to "but yes, that's always delicious" in English.
  • The song mentions Maurice Chevalier, who sang the theme song of The Aristocats.
  • "Shiny" from Moana is basically "Les Poissons" in reverse, with Tamatoa trying to eat Moana and Maui. Lin-Manuel Miranda even jokingly calls the song "Sebastian's Revenge".

External links[]

v - e - d
The Little Mermaid - 2013 Logo
Media
Films: The Little Mermaid (video/soundtrack) • The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea (video) • The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning (video) • The Little Mermaid (2023) (video/soundtrack)

Shows: The Little Mermaid (videography) • A Poem Is...The Wonderful World of Disney: The Little Mermaid Live! (soundtrack) • Sebastian's Caribbean JamboreeAriel
Video Games: NES gameSega Genesis GameAriel's Story StudioKingdom HeartsKingdom Hearts: Chain of MemoriesKingdom Hearts IIThe Little Mermaid 2: Pinball FrenzyDisney's The Little Mermaid: Magic in Two KingdomsDisney Emoji BlitzDisney Heroes: Battle Mode
Books: The Art of The Little MermaidDisney Princess Enchanted Stables: The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Baby BeauPoor Unfortunate Soul: A Tale of the Sea WitchOfficial Comic AdaptationDisney ComicsThe Little Mermaid's Treasure ChestDisney Princess BeginningsMarvel ComicsThe Little Mermaid: The Full Film ScriptPrince of Song & SeaThe Little Mermaid: Against the Tide
Music: The Legacy CollectionSebastian from The Little MermaidSebastian: Party Gras!The Little Mermaid: Songs from the SeaThe Little Mermaid: Splash HitsAriel's Favorites
Cancelled projects: Little Mermaid's Island

Disney Parks
Mermaid LagoonDisney's Art of Animation ResortAriel's GrottoTriton's GardenBlowfish Balloon RaceDisney Animation BuildingFairy Tale ForestFlounder's Flying Fish CoasterIt's a Small WorldJumpin' JellyfishKing Triton's Carousel of the SeaMermaid Lagoon TheaterAriel's PlaygroundMickey's PhilharMagicPrincess PavilionScuttle's ScootersSorcerers of the Magic KingdomSorcerer's WorkshopStorybook Land Canal BoatsThe Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea AdventureThe WhirlpoolVoyage to the Crystal Grotto

Entertainment: AnimagiqueBelieve! Sea of DreamsCastle of Magical DreamsDisney Dreams: An Enchanted ClassicDisney KiteTailsDisney's WishesFantasmic!Feel the MagicGolden Fairytale FanfareKing Triton's ConcertMickey's Magical CelebrationMickey's Magical Music WorldMickey and the Magical MapMickey and the Wondrous BookThe Golden MickeysThe Little Mermaid - A Musical AdventureThe Starlit Princess WaltzVillains Tonight!Voyage of The Little Mermaid
Restaurants: Ariel's Grotto
Parades: Celebrate A Dream Come True ParadeDisney's FantillusionDisney's Magical Moments ParadeDisney Carnivale ParadeDisney on ParadeDisney Stars on ParadeFestival of Fantasy ParadeMickey's New Year's Eve ParadeMickey & Friends Street CelebrationMickey's Soundsational ParadeMove It! Shake It! Dance and Play It! Street PartyPaint The Night ParadeSpectroMagicThe Wonderful World of Disney ParadeWalt Disney's Parade of Dreams
Fireworks: Believe... There's Magic in the StarsCelebrate the MagicDisney Dreams!Disney EnchantmentDisney in the StarsDisneyland ForeverFantasy in the SkyHappily Ever AfterIgnite the Dream: A Nighttime Spectacular of Magic and LightMagic, Music and MayhemThe Magic, the Memories and YouMomentousOnce Upon a TimeRemember... Dreams Come TrueWonderful World of AnimationWorld of ColorIlluminate! A Nighttime CelebrationWondrous Journeys
Spring: Disney Color-Fest: A Street Party!Disney Pirate or Princess: Make Your Choice
Summer: Stitch's Summer Dance BashSummer Blast
Halloween: Are You Brave Enough?Disney's Not So Spooky SpectacularFrightfully Fun ParadeHappy HallowishesLet's Get WickedRe-Villains! Halloween ParadeThe Villains WorldVillains Night Out! Chapter 2
Christmas: A Christmas Fantasy ParadeDisney Winter Magic CavalcadeRoyal Christmas Wishes

Characters
Original: ArielFlounderSebastianScuttlePrince EricKing TritonUrsulaFlotsam and JetsamKing Triton's DaughtersMaxGrimsbyCarlottaChef LouisUrsula's GardenGlutThe Seahorse HeraldHaroldMerpeopleSea CreaturesLagoon Residents

Sequel: MelodyTip and DashAlexMorganaCloak and DaggerUndertowHammerhead SharkFlounder's GuppiesBaby PenguinUrsula and Morgana's Mother
Prequel: Queen AthenaMarina Del ReyBenjaminThe Catfish Club BandStevieElectric Eels
Little Mermaid's Island: SandyScales
TV Series: UrchinGabriellaOllieDudleyPearlPearl's MotherMantaLittle EvilDanielMoraySimonLobster Mobster and Da ShrimpThe SorceressGlowfishEbb and FloEmpreror ShargaSharkaniansOctopidBrain SpongeZeusSpot the Killer WhaleClaud and Claudia CrabCrab ScoutsHans Christian AndersenLuckyThorAugustusStormy the Giant SeahorseThe Magical Wishing StarfishHowling HairfishApolloArchimedesSeaclopsNeptuneDr. Vile
Comic Book: IndigoMarlin the MagicianJenny
Remake: Queen Selina

Episodes
Season One: "Whale of a Tale" • "The Great Sebastian" • "Stormy" • "Urchin" • "Double Bubble" • "Message in a Bottle" • "Charmed" • "Marriage of Inconvenience" • "The Evil Manta" • "Thingamajigger" • "Red" • "Beached" • "Trident True" • "Eel-Ectric City"

Season Two: "Resigned to It" • "Calliope Dreams" • "Save the Whale" • "Against the Tide" • "Giggles" • "Wish Upon a Starfish" • "Tail of Two Crabs" • "Metal Fish" • "T'ank You For Dat, Ariel"
Season Three: "Scuttle" • "King Crab" • "Island of Fear" • "Land of the Dinosaurs" • "Heroes" • "The Beast Within" • "Ariel's Treasures" • "A Little Evil"

Objects
Prince Eric's StatueTridentUrsula's CauldronUrsula's NecklaceMelody's locketQueen Athena's music boxDinglehopperRoyal ShipThe Wedding ShipSnarfblatt
Locations
AtlanticaAriel's Secret GrottoUrsula's LairPrince Eric's CastleSharkaniaMorgana's Ice Cave
Songs
Films: Fathoms BelowDaughters of King TritonPart of Your WorldUnder the SeaPoor Unfortunate SoulsLes PoissonsKiss the GirlDown to the SeaFor a MomentTip and DashHere on the Land and SeaEndless SkyJust One MistakeJump in the Line (Shake, Senora)I RememberMan Smart (Woman Smarter)I Will Sing

TV Series: Just a Little LoveYou Got to be YouThe Edge of the Edge of the SeaThe Lobster Mobster's MobThe Beddy Bye BluesSing a New SongIn HarmonyThis is the LifeNever Give UpYou Wouldn't Want to Mess with MeThe Sound of LaughterDaring to DanceJust Give Me a ChanceEvil Lullaby
Musical: She's in LoveHuman StuffPositoovityI Want the Good Times BackStorm at SeaDaddy's Little AngelHer VoiceThe World AboveThe ContestIf OnlyBeyond My Wildest DreamsSweet ChildOne Step CloserAll Good Things Must End
Songs from the Sea: The Sea KingdomWhat's It Like to Be a Mermaid?The Scuttle StrutThere's Only One ArielHe's a FriendAt the Mermaids' BallParty With MeMy Room in the SeaDreamingH2O, What a Feeling!We Share the EarthWhere Mermaids Dwell
Splash Hits: In My Blue BackyardHome is
Remake: Wild Uncharted WatersFor the First TimeThe Scuttlebutt
Deleted: Silence is GoldenGonna Get My WishImpossible Child
Other: Music is in the AirOne DanceA Mermaid Song

See Also
MusicalThe Disney AfternoonDisney Sing Along Songs: Under the Sea
Advertisement