Prologue
Howard Ashman And Alan Menken Lyrics

On the twenty-first day of the month of September
It was a specific day in September, marking a significant event.

In an early year of a decade not too long before our own
The event took place in a recent past that is still familiar to us.

The human race suddenly encountered a deadly threat to its very existence
A sudden and grave danger posed a serious threat to humanity.

And this terrifying enemy surfaced as such enemies often do
The enemy emerged in a way that is similar to how most dangerous adversaries reveal themselves.

In the seemingly most innocent and unlikely of places
The enemy came from a place that was initially perceived as harmless and unthreatening.

Little shop, little shoppa horrors
The otherwise harmless-looking shop was now the source of horror.

Little shop, little shoppa terror
The shop had turned into a source of terror.

Call a cop, little shoppa horrors
The shop had become so dangerous that calling the police was necessary.

No, oh, oh, no-oh!
This is a warning of impending danger.

Bop sh'bop, little shoppa terror
The terror was relentless and could not be stopped.

Watch 'em drop! Little shoppa horrors
The horrors at the shop were resulting in casualties.

Shing-a-ling, what a freaky thing to be happening!
The situation was so unusual and unsettling that it almost defies description.

Look out, look out, look out, look out!
The warning to look out is repeated for emphasis.

Shang-a-lang, feel the sturm and drang in the air
The atmosphere was charged with tension and drama.

Yeah!
An expression of agreement or confirmation of what has just been said.

Sha-la-la, stop right where you are
Stop moving and pay attention to what's happening.

Don't you move a thing
The situation is too dangerous to move.

You better (tellin' you, you better)
It is essential to do what is said next.

Tell your mama something's gonna get her
Warn your mother of the impending danger.

She better (everybody better beware!
A warning to everyone, including the mother to be alert.

Oh, here it comes, baby
The danger is approaching, and there's no escape.

Tell the world, baby
Spread the news and warn as many people as possible.

Oh oh, oh no
An expression of dread and helplessness.

Oh, hit the dirt, baby
Get down and take cover immediately.

Tell the world, baby, oh oh, no, oh oh, no
Spread the word of impending danger even as you try to stay safe.

Alley oop, hurry off to school child, I'm warnin' you
A warning to a child to get out of the way of danger and go to school.

(Look out, look out, look, out, look out)
The repeated warning is to emphasize the urgency of the situation.

Run away, child you gonna pay if you stay, yeah
The child will face grave consequences if they don't escape immediately.

Look around, something's comin' down down the street for you
Danger is approaching fast, and the child needs to be alert.

You betcha, you betcha, you betcha butt, you betcha
Assurance that the danger is real and imminent.

Best believe it, something's come to get ya
The danger is not an illusion, but a serious threat.

You betcha, you better watch your back in this town
The threat is not limited to just the shop or the street but the entire town.

Yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah!
An exclamation of urgency and danger.

Comma, comma, comma
This could be a way to create a pause or a break in the lyric or relate to the idea of pausing and being cautious in those moments.

Bop sh'bop, you'll never stop the terror
The terror is relentless and cannot be stopped.

Little shop, little shoppa horrors
The once-innocent-looking shop is now the center of horror.

No, oh oh, no, oh oh, no, oh oh, no
The warning of danger remains persistent.