One Last Hope
Alan Menken Lyrics

So, ya wanna be a hero, kid?
You want to be a hero?

Well, whoop-de-do!
Big deal!

I have been around the block before
I have experience dealing with people like you

With blockheads just like you
People who are not very bright

Each and everyone a disappointment
Every one of them let me down

Pain for which there ain't no ointment
I suffered because of them

So much for excuses
I don't want to hear any excuses

Though a kid of Zeus is
Even though you are related to a god

Asking me to jump into the fray
You are asking me to get involved

My answer is two words
I have two words to answer you

OK
Alright

You win
You convinced me

Oh gods
Oh my

Oy vay!
An expression of frustration

I'd given up hope that someone would come along
I lost hope that someone would help me

A fellow who'd ring the bell for once
A person who would succeed

Not the gong
A real accomplishment, not just a noisy one

The kind who wins trophies
A person who wins awards

Won't settle for low fees
Doesn't want to be paid little

At least semi-pro fees
At least wants to be paid like a semi-professional

But no, I get the greenhorn
But instead, I have to deal with someone inexperienced

I've been out to pasture pal, my ambition gone
I've given up, my desire to succeed is over

Content to spend lazy days and to graze my lawn
I'm happy to relax and do nothing

But you need an advisor
But you need someone to guide you

A satyr, but wiser
A wise satyr creature

A good merchandiser
A good salesman

And oh!
Oh no!

There goes my ulcer!
I'm getting stressed out

I'm down to one last hope
This is my final chance

And I hope it's you
I hope you can do it

Though, kid, you're not exactly
Although you are not the perfect candidate

A dream come true
The ideal option

I've trained enough turkeys
I've trained enough people who didn't make it

Who never came through
Who were not successful

You're my one last hope
You are my final chance

So you'll have to do
You will have to try

Demigods have faced the odds
Even half-gods have had to overcome obstacles

And ended up a mockery
And still failed and were made fun of

Don't believe the stories
Don't trust rumors or legends

That you read on all the crockery
That you hear on cheap pottery or plates

To be a true hero, kid, is a dying art
Being a real hero is not common anymore

Like painting a masterpiece, it's a work of heart
It requires heart and passion, like painting a great artwork

It takes more than sinew
It requires more than physical strength

Comes down to what's in you
It depends on your character

You have to continue to grow
You have to keep improving

Now that's more like it!
That's what I want to hear!

I'm down to one last shoot
This is my final chance to sing well

And my last high note
My last opportunity to hit the high note

Before that blasted Underworld
Before I go to the underworld when I die

Gets my goat
Makes me angry or frustrated

My dreams are on you, kid
My future depends on you

Go make 'em come true
Go and make my dreams a reality

Climb that uphill slope
Overcome the difficult challenges

Keep pushing that envelope
Keep trying to do better

You're my one last hope
You are my final chance

And, kid, it's up to you
It's completely your responsibility