As a somewhat heavy-set character actress, she has appeared in many TV programs beginning in the 1950s (playing Cindy Williams' mother on Laverne and Shirley, for example) and stage productions, but is best known for her roles as the voice of Ursula in The Little Mermaid and the voice of Morgana, Ursula's sister in The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea.
In 1956 Carroll won an Emmy Award for her work on Caesar's Hour and was a regular on the sitcom Make Room for Daddy. She appeared on many variety shows of the 1950s and 1960s, such as The Red Buttons Show, The Danny Kaye Show, The Red Skelton Show, and The Carol Burnett Show. In 1965, she co-starred as Prunella, one of the stepsisters in the Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella television special starring Lesley Ann Warren.
Carroll scored a personal and artistic success in the late 1970's with her one woman show on Gertrude Stein titled Gertrude Stein, Gertrude Stein, Gertrude Stein winning several major theater awards and even a Grammy in 1981 for her recorded version of the performance.
Since the late 1980's she has done much voice over work on animated programs such as A Pup Named Scooby Doo, Galaxy High, You Don't Say and a A Goofy Movie. On Pound Puppies she play the series villain, Katrina Stoneheart on the Hanna Barbera version of their TV show.
She has portrayed the sea witch Ursula in many forms of media, such as the Kingdom Hearts series of video games, the Fantasmic! show at two Disney theme parks, the spin-off TV series and will soon voice the Ursula puppet in the forthcoming Broadway production of the movie. She provided the voice of Ursula once again for the puppet in Disneyland's Parade of Dreams.
Taking a break from various villains she's played, her most recent voice over role was the kind and compassionate character of Granny in the re-release of Hayao Miyazaki's warm hearted story My Neighbor Totoro.
She has also had a successful career in the theater, particularly in numerous off-Broadway productions. In 1990 she stunned the theater world with an acclaimed performance in The Merry Wives of Windsor at the Shakespeare Theater at the Folger playing a male role, Sir John Falstaff, playing a balding knight with whiskers.
Drama critic Frank Rich of The New York Times wrote: "Her performance is a triumph from start to finish, and, I think, a particularly brave and moving one, with implications that go beyond this one production. Ms. Carroll and Mr. Kahn help revivify the argument that the right actresses can perform some of the great classic roles traditionally denied to women and make them their own. It's not a new argument, to be sure; female Hamlets stretch back into history. But what separates Ms. Carroll's Falstaff from some other similar casting experiments of late is that her performance exists to investigate a character rather than merely as ideological window dressing for a gimmicky production."
As a member of The Actors Studio Pat Carroll is currently working in stage productions. Her past work includes not only off-Broadway productions but the Kennedy Center and national tours.
In 2005 she played a homeless woman in three episodes of the television series ER.
As a devout Catholic, her religious views inform her choice of what roles to accept, and in which productions to appear.
According to a Current Biography article, she is a supporter of the US Republican Party.
She is the mother of 2 daughters, Kerry and Tara Karsian.
Poor Unfortunate Souls {From the Little Mermaid}
Pat Carroll Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can you do that?
My dear, sweet child, that's what I do
It's what I live for
To help unfortunate merfolk like yourself
Poor souls with no one else to turn to
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?
If I become human, I'll never be with my father or sisters again
But you'll have your man
Life's full of tough choices, isn't it?
Oh, and there is one more thing
We haven't discussed the subject of payment
But I don't have-
I'm not asking much, just a token really, a trifle
What I want from you is your voice
But without my voice, how can I-
You'll have your looks, your pretty face
And don't underestimate the importance of body language, ha!
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 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 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
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
Beluga sevruga
Come winds of the Caspian Sea
Larengix glaucitis
Et max laryngitis
La voce to me
Now, sing
Aa-aa-aah, a-aa-aah
Keep singing!
Aa-aa-aah, a-aa-aah
The song "Poor Unfortunate Souls" by Pat Carroll is from the soundtrack of Disney's 1989 film The Little Mermaid. The song features Ursula, a sea witch, convincing Ariel, the singer mermaid, to trade her voice in exchange for becoming human and gaining Prince Eric's love. In the first few lines of the song, Ursula explains that the only way Ariel can get what she wants is to become a human herself. Ursula then admits that while she had been nasty in the past, she has since mended her ways and now uses her talents to help "poor souls with no one else to turn to." Ursula then goes on to sing about the sad and desperate situations that bring a variety of individuals to her cauldron seeking help, including one who wants to be thinner and another who wants to get a girl.
Ursula acknowledges the tough choices that Ariel will have to make and even mentions that she will never see her father or sisters again if she becomes human. Ursula then reveals her true intention: she wants Ariel's voice. She explains that she will give Ariel good looks and a pretty face, but it's her voice that she wants. Ursula convinces Ariel that being quiet and withdrawn on land will impress gentlemen, and ultimately urges her to sign a contract giving up her voice. She promises that once she has Ariel's voice, she will use her magic to help her become human and win Prince Eric's love. The song ends with Ursula celebrating her success in acquiring yet another victim to manipulate and entrap.
Line by Line Meaning
The only way to get what you want is to become a human yourself
To pursue your desires, you must transform into a human.
My dear, sweet child, that's what I do
It is my solemn duty to help unfortunate sea creatures.
It's what I live for
Assisting mermaids is my reason for living.
To help unfortunate merfolk like yourself
I exist to support pitiful sea beings, such as you.
Poor souls with no one else to turn to
Unlucky spirits with no other source of help come to me.
I admit that in the past I've been a nasty
Formerly, I was not kind to others.
They weren't kidding when they called me, well, a witch
People referred to me as a witch because of my cruel tendency.
But you'll find that nowadays
Presently, my character has improved remarkably.
I've mended all my ways
I have completely reformed my character.
Repented, seen the light, and made a switch
I am sorry for my past wickedness and have changed for the better.
To this
This change has made me to be this way.
And I fortunately know a little magic
I am a skillful sorceress.
It's a talent that I always have possessed
My magical abilities are something I've always been good at.
And dear lady, please don't laugh
Please do not mock me.
I use it on behalf
I use my powers to help merfolk in need.
Of the miserable, the lonely, and depressed (Pathetic)
I use my powers to aid those who are sad, isolated, and unhappy.
Poor unfortunate souls
Unfortunate spirits who require assistance.
In pain, in need
They are hurting and call for my help.
This one longing to be thinner
One wishes to be slim.
That one wants to get the girl
Another desires to win someone's love.
And do I help them?
Do I provide my help to them?
Yes, indeed
Certainly I do.
So sad, so true
This type of sorrow is authentic and heartrending.
They come flocking to my cauldron
They hurry to me for assistance.
Crying, "Spells, Ursula, please!"
They plead with me for spells and aid.
Now it's happened once or twice
Occasionally, there have been problems.
Someone couldn't pay the price
A person was unable to repay me.
And I'm afraid I had to rake 'em 'cross the coals
I had to take severe action against them.
Yes I've had the odd complaint
I have had a few grievances over the years.
But on the whole I've been a saint
Overall, I have acted virtuously.
To those poor unfortunate souls
I have been compassionate to those needing help.
Have we got a deal?
Can we come to an agreement?
If I become human, I'll never be with my father or sisters again
If I transform into a human, I will be parted from my family forever.
But you'll have your man
You will win your man's love.
Life's full of tough choices, isn't it?
Life is replete with difficult decisions, am I right?
Oh, and there is one more thing
Additionally, there is a final matter.
We haven't discussed the subject of payment
We have yet to converse about compensating me.
But I don't have-
I am currently lacking-
I'm not asking much, just a token really, a trifle
I do not require anything significant or of great value, merely a small memento.
What I want from you is your voice
What I need from you is your singing voice.
But without my voice, how can I-
But how will I-
You'll have your looks, your pretty face
You will retain your physical beauty.
And don't underestimate the importance of body language, ha!
Do not forget about the significance of nonverbal communication, ha!
The men up there don't like a lot of blabber
Men on land prefer women not to be overly talkative.
They think a girl who gossips is a bore
They believe that a woman who gossips is uninteresting.
Yet on land it's much preferred for ladies not to say a word
However, females on land are expected to remain silent.
And after all dear, what is idle babble for?
And, when you think about it, what is the point of idle chatter?
Come on, they're not all that impressed with conversation
Let's be honest, they are unimpressed by chit-chat.
True gentlemen avoid it when they can
Truly respectable men try to avoid it.
But they dote and swoon and fawn
However, they will shower you with affection.
On a lady who's withdrawn
When it comes to a reserved woman.
It's she who holds her tongue who gets a man
The woman who is quiet is the one who will get the man.
Come on you poor unfortunate soul
Come on, you miserable creature in need of help.
Go ahead
Proceed.
Make your choice
Take your pick.
I'm a very busy woman and I haven't got all day
I am an important woman, and I cannot waste time.
It won't cost much
The price is not high.
Just your voice!
Only your singing voice!
If you want to cross the bridge, my sweet
If you want to achieve your goal.
You've got the pay the toll
You must pay the price.
Take a gulp and take a breath
Summon your courage and take a big swallow.
And go ahead and sign the scroll
Sign the contract, then.
Flotsam, Jetsam, now I've got her, boys
Flotsam and Jetsam, I have got her now, boys.
The boss is on a roll
The boss is on a roll.
Beluga sevruga
Beluga sturgeon.
Come winds of the Caspian Sea
Assuming that the Caspian Sea's winds will blow.
Larengix glaucitis
Larynx glaucoma.
Et max laryngitis
As well as laryngitis.
La voce to me
The voice belongs to me.
Now, sing
Now, perform.
Aa-aa-aah, a-aa-aah
Aa-aa-aah, a-aa-aah.
Keep singing!
Continue singing!
Aa-aa-aah, a-aa-aah
Aa-aa-aah, a-aa-aah.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Walt Disney Music Company, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: HOWARD ASHMAN, ALAN MENKEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind