Poor Unfortunate Souls
Pat Carroll Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

The only way to get what you want, is to become a human yourself
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
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
True? Yes
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 prattle 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On a lady who's withdrawn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

Overall Meaning

In "Poor Unfortunate Souls," Ursula offers to help a mermaid named Ariel become human and win the heart of a human prince, but at a cost. Ursula is characterized as a villain, known for being a "witch" with a dark past. However, she informs Ariel that she has changed her ways and now helps "unfortunate" beings like her. Ursula claims to possess magic and uses it to help those who are "miserable, lonely, and depressed." The song highlights the negative aspects of society as Ursula sings about the human world's emphasis on appearance and the importance of being silent. At the end of the song, Ursula takes Ariel's voice in exchange for legs, reminding her that she must pay the price to achieve her desires.


Line by Line Meaning

The only way to get what you want, is to become a human yourself
It's impossible to get what you want as a mermaid, you need to become a human


My dear, sweet child, that's what I do
I help unfortunate merfolk become human


It's what I live for
Helping merfolk become human is my life's purpose


To help unfortunate merfolk like yourself
I help merfolk who are in need and have no one else to turn to


Poor souls with no one else to turn to
Merfolk who have no one to help them come to me for assistance


I admit that in the past I've been a nasty
I used to be wicked and unpleasant


They weren't kidding when they called me, well, a witch
People used to call me a witch, and it was not an exaggeration


But you'll find that nowadays
But I have changed recently


I've mended all my ways
I have made amends and changed my behavior


Repented, seen the light, and made a switch
I realized my mistakes and reformed my ways


True? Yes
It's the truth


And I fortunately know a little magic
I have a talent for using magic


It's a talent that I always have possessed
Using magic is something that comes naturally to me


And dear lady, please don't laugh
Please don't find this amusing


I use it on behalf
I use my magic to help others


Of the miserable, the lonely, and depressed, pathetic
I help those who are miserable, lonely, and depressed


Poor unfortunate souls
Merfolk in need


In pain, in need
They are experiencing suffering and need assistance


This one longing to be thinner
Someone who wants to be thinner came to me for help


That one wants to get the girl
Another person wants to win the affection of someone else


And do I help them?
And I help them, of course


Yes, indeed
Absolutely


So sad, so true
It's unfortunate but accurate


They come flocking to my cauldron
People come to me seeking my help


"Spells, Ursula, please!"
"Please use your magic to help me, Ursula!"


Now it's happened once or twice
It's only happened a few times


Someone couldn't pay the price
Someone was unable to fulfill their end of the deal


And I'm afraid I had to rake 'em 'cross the coals
Unfortunately, I had to punish them severely


Yes I've had the odd complaint
I have received some negative feedback


But on the whole I've been a saint
But generally, I have been very good to those who seek my help


Have we got a deal?
Is our agreement acceptable to you?


If I become human, I'll never be with my father or sisters again
Becoming human means losing connection with family


But, you'll have your man
But you will be with the man you love


Life's full of tough choices, isn't it?
Life requires making difficult decisions


Oh, and there is one more thing
There is one other condition


We haven't discussed the subject of payment
We have not yet talked about the cost


But I don't have
But I don't possess


I'm not asking much, just a token really, a trifle
I'm only asking for a small favor


What I want from you is your voice
I want you to give up your voice


But without my voice, how can I
But how will I be able to


You'll have your looks, your pretty face
You will still be beautiful


And don't underestimate the importance of body language, ha
Remember that nonverbal communication is important too


The men up there don't like a lot of blabber
Men on land prefer women who don't talk excessively


They think a girl who gossips is a bore
Talking about others is uninteresting to them


Yet on land it's much preferred for ladies not to say a word
Women on land are expected to be silent


And after all dear, what is idle prattle for?
Do not waste your breath on meaningless talk


Come on you poor unfortunate soul
Come on, let's make a deal


Go ahead
Do it, take the deal


Make your choice
Decide what you want to do


I'm a very busy woman and I haven't got all day
I am very busy and don't have time to waste


It won't cost much
The price is low


Just your voice
All I ask is for you to give up your voice


It's sad but true
It's a fact, no matter how unfortunate


If you want to cross the bridge, my sweet
If you want to get what you want


You've got the pay the toll
You have to make a sacrifice


Take a gulp and take a breath
Be brave and make the deal


And go ahead and sign the scroll
Sign the contract and finalize the deal


Flotsam, Jetsam, now I've got her, boys
I've successfully made a deal with her, boys


The boss is on a roll
I am having a successful streak


Beluga sevruga
Nonsense phrases


Come winds of the Caspian Sea
More nonsense phrases


Larengix glaucitis
More nonsense phrases


Et max laryngitis
More nonsense phrases


La voce to me
Translation: 'give me your voice'


Now, sing
Now, follow my instruction


Aa-aa-aah, a-aa-aah (keep singing)
Sing this tune


Aa-aa-aah, a-aa-aah
Keep singing




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Alan Menken, Howard Elliott Ashman

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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