Poor Unfortunate Souls

Poor Unfortunate Souls is the big Broadway style villain number featured in The Little Mermaid. The music was composed by Alan Menken while the lyrics were by Howard Ashman. The song is performed by Ursula (Pat Corral) and is sung to persuade Ariel to give up her voice for the one she loves, Prince Eric.

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 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

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, heh heh. Life's full of tough choices, isn't it? Heh heh. Oh, and there is one more thing. We haven't discussed the subject of payment.

Ariel: But I don't have-

Ursula: I'm not asking much, just a token really, a trifle! What I want from you is - your voice.

Ariel: But without my voice, how can I-

Ursula: You'll have your looks, your pretty face. And don't underestimate the importance of body language, ha!

Ursula: 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 prefered for ladies not to say a word And after all dear, what is idle babble 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But they dote and swoon and fawn On a lady who's withdrawn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

Ursula: 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!