"Poor Unfortunate Souls" is a song from the Walt Disney Pictures animated film The Little Mermaid. Written by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken and performed by Pat Carroll, it is sung to Ariel by Ursula. In a style that combines Broadway Theatre with Burlesque, Ursula uses it to seduce Ariel into trading her voice for the chance to temporarily become human and be with Eric.
A short melodic reprise of the song is featured later in the original Disney movie being sung by Vanessa, Ursula's alter ego, voiced by Jodi Benson (as she had stolen Ariel's voice).
The Original Movie
Lyrics
Ursula: 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
[dialogue interruption]
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on a lady who's withdrawn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!
"Poor Unfortunate Souls" is also noteworthy for Ursula's incantation at the end of the song actually being sung, rather than merely recited. Accompanied by Gothic organ music, the spell features words somewhat twisted from normal everyday words, only strung together extremely quickly:
Beluga Sevrgua, come winds of the Caspian Sea
Larynxes Glacydis Ad max Laryngitis la voce to me
(Now Sing)
Alternate/Extended Poor Unfortunate Souls
Poor Unfortunate Souls underwent little changes from storyboard to the final cut. One segment in the beginning of the scene was cut out from the final film, when Ursula beckons Ariel to come in. She toys with her hair for a bit and then explains to Ariel how she's been banished for attempting to, "elevate" her station in life. Which Ariel
claims, was attempting to overthrow her father.
Then, there's another change that was made, in that an entire segment of the song was completely omitted from the final version of the scene which was meant to convince Ariel that going with Eric was the right thing, despite having to leave her family behind.
Come on, I know you need a little magic
And magic is my specialty du jour
Don't just stand there looking sick
Would I kid you? Play a trick?
Like I told you, I don't do that anymore
So I think you ought to take my little bargain
Yes, I think you ought to make my little deal
Sure, it's hard to leave your life
But you could be a prince's wife
Why don't you let me take that dream and make it real?
At this point, the storyboarded version of the film cuts off to Ursula explaining her price to Ariel, however, there is another version that goes just a little further. It is Howard Ashman's demo version, which drastically lengthens Poor Unfortunate Souls length.
Come on, you poor unfortunate soul
Poor child! Poor fish!
Aren't you glad you brought your problem
To a lady you can trust?
Won't you let me grant your wish?
You poor unfortunate soul
Poor sweet! Poor dear!
Aren't you lucky that I'm ready with a potion and a plan?
Aren't you glad you came and asked
If I could help you? And I can
When a mermaid comes to Ursula, she always gets her man
You poor unfortunate soul!
The Broadway Musical
The original version of Poor Unfortunate Souls was left intact for the Broadway play, aside from the occasional ad libbed line from Sherie Rene Scott.
Lyrics
[URSULA]
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, 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
[Spoken Dialogue]
[URSULA]
You'll have your looks. . . your pretty face. . . and don't underestimate the power of body language!
The men up there don't like a lot of blabber
They think a girl who gossips is a bore!
Yet 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 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!
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
Go ahead and sign the scroll!
Flotsam, Jetsam--now I've got her, boys
The boss is on a roll
You poor unfortunate soul!
Beluga, sevruga, come winds of the Caspian Sea. . .
Larynxes, glaucitis, ad max laryngitis, la voce to me!
Now, sing! Sing your voice over to me!
[ARIEL]
Ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah...
[URSULA]
Sing and keep singing!
[ARIEL]
. . .ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah....
[URSULA]
Now swim, swim, swim! Swim for your life, human child!
Ha ha ha. . .
Two versions of a full reprise of "Poor Unfortunate Souls" were written for the Broadway adaptation. The first version, used for the demo workshop and performed by Emily Skinner, contains lyrics implying that it is meant to be sung before Ursula transforms herself into Vanessa, with the spell incantation:
- Mascara, tiara
- Yea, winds of the tropics appear
- Catharsis, lavorious
- Et qua manicurus
- mutato me here!
The above demo reprise was scrapped when Ursula's temporary transformation into Vanessa was removed from the storyline of the Broadway show. It was replaced with a different reprise, sung by Ursula to King Triton to force him into taking Ariel's place in the agreement.
Lyrics
KING TRITON
"Ursula!"
URSULA
"Brother darling! You're right on cue."
KING TRITON
"Give Ariel back to me!"
URSULA
"Not on your life!"
It so happens that your daughter signed a contract,
KING TRITON
"No!"
URSULA
Even drew a little heart above the "i"
Is it binding? Goodness, yes!
Unbreakable, unless...
KING TRITON
"Unless?"
URSULA
"There is a little somethin' we could try."
KING TRITON
"Go on."
URSULA
Yes,
Perhaps we can arrange a sort of tradeoff,
KING TRITON
"What?"
URSULA
Maybe swap your daughter's soul for, say, your own
Sign the scroll and set her free
Or else she comes with me
To suffer through eternity alone...
"The mute little hatchling, drowning in her own sorrow, with no voice left to cry out your name... Well? I'm waiting."
KING TRITON
"It's not my soul you're after-it's my power."
URSULA
"Which would you rather be?"
"The King of the Sea... or a father to his little girl?"
"Finally! The oceans belong to me!"
And now you poor unfortunate soul!
Time's up! You're through!
Now the power of Poseidon
Has been once again made whole
All the magic of the trident
And the shell in my control!
And now dark shall reign forever
Over ocean, sea and shoal!
Now see for yourselves how banishment feels!
You poor unfortunate soul!
Jonas Brothers Cover
The Jonas Brothers covered "Poor Unfortunate Souls" for The Little Mermaid two-disc special edition of the soundtrack, released on October 3, 2006 to correspond with the two-disc The Little Mermaid Platinum Edition DVD. The Special Edition Soundtrack includes a music video for the song, where the boys are singing around a public swimming pool.
Although the song mostly stays true to the lyrics of the original, certain lines have been changed to prevent any reference to magic or gender. Also, the second verse and ending have been omitted. Instead, the song ends with a reprise of the chorus following the first verse.
The song is also featured on Disney's On the Record along with "Part of Your World", "Under the Sea" and "Kiss the Girl" of songs from The Little Mermaid.
A portion of the song is performed twice in the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom Halloween-themed fireworks show HalloWishes during Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
Lyrics
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
Other versions
Performer(s) | Title(s) | Translations(s) | Language |
---|---|---|---|
? (Ashraf Suwailim) |
Arabic | ||
Zezé Motta | "Corações Infelizes" | "Unhappy Hearts" | Brazilian Portuguese |
Нели Монеджикова (Neli Monedjikova) |
"Погубват своя живот" | "They're Losing Their Life" | Bulgarian |
Élizabeth Chouvalidzé | "Pauvres petites âmes en peine" | Canadian French | |
瑪俐亞 (Maria Cordero) |
Cantonese | ||
Helen de Quiroga | "Pobres Almas sin Sol" | "Poor Souls Without Sun" | Castilian Spanish |
Ivana Vlkov-Wagner | "Nesretne duše" | "Unfortunate Souls" | Croatian |
Valérie Zawadská | "Zoufalé duše" | "Desperate Souls" | Czech |
Kirsten Rolffes | "Små ulykkelige pus" | Danish | |
Nelly Frijda | "Kommer en Kwel" | Dutch | |
Ulla Tapaninen | Finnish | ||
Micheline Dax | "Pauvres âmes en perditions" | French | |
Beate Hasenau | German | ||
Δέσποινα Κουντούδη (Despina Koudoudi) (1991 version) Μανουέλα Μουστακοπούλου (Manouela Moustakopoulou) (1998 version) |
Greek | ||
רחל אטאס (Rachel Attas) |
Hebrew | ||
Hindi | |||
Éva Schubert | "Szegény mélabús lélek" | "Poor Melancholy Souls" | Hungarian |
Margrét Vilhjálmsdóttir | "Sálir sem þjást" | "The Souls Who Suffer" | Icelandic |
Indonesian | |||
Sonia Scotti | "La canzone di Ursula" | Italian | |
森公美子 (Kumiko Mori) |
"不幸せな魂" (Fushiawase Tamashii) | "Unhappy Souls" | Japanese |
박정자 (Park Jeong-Ja) |
Korean | ||
Serena Olvido | "Pobres Almas en Desgracia" | Latin American Spanish | |
"Roh Berjiwa Malang" | "Unfortunate Souls" | Malay | |
姜瑰瑾 (Jiang Gui-Jin) |
Mandarin | ||
Anne Grete Preus | "Stakkars nedbrutte sjeler" | Norwegian | |
Stanisława Celińska | "Ach, Zrób Duszyczko Ten Krok" | "Oh, Make That Step, Little Soul" | Polish |
Xuxu | "Pobres Almas Desgraçadas" | Portuguese | |
Putonghua | |||
Corina Chiriac | "Biet suflet fără noroc" | "Poor Souls Without Luck" | Romanian |
Анастасия Минцковская (Anastasia Mintskovskaya) |
Russian | ||
Lucia Vráblicová | Slovak | ||
Evabritt Strandberg | "Ni förkrympta små liv" | Swedish | |
Tamil | |||
? (1991 version) นภาเพชร แก้วดอนชัยเลิศ (Naphaphet Kaewdonchailoed) (1998 version) |
Thai | ||
Işıl Yücesoy | Turkish |
Trivia
- Howard Ashman recorded a version of the song with himself in the role of Ursula, to send to Carroll to convince her to take the role, which it did. This version was released in the four-CD set The Music Behind the Magic. Carroll admits that she borrowed some of the inflections she used in the song from Ashman's performance, and that he had been delighted she had done so.
- Carroll's original rendition of "Poor Unfortunate Souls" was included on a 1995 compilation CD of songs performed by or about various Disney villains called Rascal Songs. The CD was released as part of a four-disc Disney song series as a McDonald's promotional item.
- During the song, Ursula pulls out a contract, laying out the terms of the deal. The movie spares a moment to glance over the words of the contract, but speeds from the top of the scroll to the bottom at fast speed. If one were to slow down the movie at this part, they would notice that the contract is made up of garbled words, and a hidden mickey can be seen as well.
- The french translation is quite similar to the original. However, the literal translation of the name would be Pauvres âmes infortunées, but they have chosen to replace it by Pauvres âmes en perdition (more or less translatable by Poor souls in distress), which is a clever pun because en perdition can mean in distress, but also (talking about a ship) about to sink — which makes sense in an underwater story—, and âme en perdition can mean soul in perdition in a religious meaning, which also makes sense given that Ariel is about to conclude a faustian deal in that song.
- Before this song was written, Ursula would sing a song called "Silence is Golden". The lyrics of this were partly reinjected into Poor unfortunate souls.
- An episode of Once Upon a Time ("Poor Unfortunate Soul") is named after this song.
- A song of Crazy ex-girlfriend is based on this song
Gallery
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