Poor Unfortunate Souls

URSULA

The only way to get what you want is to become a human yourself.



ARIEL

Can you do that?



URSULA

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

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?



ARIEL

If I become human, I'll never be with my father or sisters again.



URSULA

But you'll have your man, heh heh. Life's full of tough choices, isn't it? Heh heh.

Oh, and there is one more thing.

We haven't discussed the subject of payment.



ARIEL

But I don't have-



URSULA

I'm not asking much, just a token really, a trifle!

What I want from you is - your voice.



ARIEL

But without my voice, how can I-



URSULA

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 prefered 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On a lady who's withdrawn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 get's 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!



ARIEL

Aah...



Keep singing!