"The World Above" is a song from the musical version of The Little Mermaid, and is sung by Ariel. The song serves as her introduction, and in the revised script of the musical, is the shows opening number, before Fathoms Below.
A reprise of the song was sung by Ariel and King Triton as he destroys Ariel's Grotto. When the musical was revamped after closing on Broadway, the reprise was removed.
Lyrics[]
Ariel
This is where I belong
Beneath the clear wide blue here!
I feel completely new in here in the world above!
It's like my life was wrong
And somehow now, at last I'm in
My own skin
Up here in the world above!
There's so much light here
Light and space
The sun's so bright here
upon my face!
It feels so right here
Warm as love
Life seems to be
almost calling to me
from this strange new world above!
King Triton
This is where you belong!
Ariel
You don't understand!
King Triton
For once, just listen, will you?
That savage brute would kill you in the world above!
Ariel
He's not a barbarian—
Triton
Don't try that same old song!
I'll have you grounded 'til next year!
Am I clear?
Don't go near that world above!
Ariel
I'm not a child anymore!
Triton
No? Have you lost your senses? He's a human; you're a mermaid.
Ariel
It doesn't matter!
Triton
I'm still the king here – my word is law!
This filth you bring here is the final straw
And push, my daughter, has come to shove!
I'll make you obey
'til you do as I say
I don't care, come what may
But I'll keep you away
from that cruel, harsh, cold, vile world above!
