Poor Unfortunate Souls

"Poor Unfortunate Souls" is the fifth song in Disney's 1989 animated feature film The Little Mermaid, played in a style that combines Broadway theater with burlesque. The song is performed by Ursula (Pat Carroll). In addition to its musical sequence, the song serves as Ursula's leitmotif throughout the film.
==Summary==
Ursula used the song to seduce Ariel into trading her voice for the chance to temporarily become human and be with Prince Eric. There was dialogue interruption, in which Ursula told the mermaid about her full plan.
A short melodic reprise of the song was featured later in the original Disney movie in which it is sung by Vanessa, Ursula's alter ego, who is voiced by Jodi Benson (as she had stolen Ariel's voice). In it, she sang about how she was going to control the ocean and capture Ariel. This reprise was the final song in the film (not counting the finale for "Part of Your World"), and serves as a reprise of "Poor Unfortunate Souls".
==Lyrics==
<tabber>
First=
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, 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
[dialogue interruption]
The men up there don't like a lot of blabber
They think a girl who gossips is a bore!
Yes, 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on a lady who's withdrawn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
Larynxes, glacydis, admax laryngitis, la voce to me!
|-|Reprise=
Vanessa: What a lovely little bride I'll make,
My dear, I'll look divine!
Things are working out according to my ultimate design!
Soon I'll have that little mermaid,
and the ocean will be mine!
|-|Deleted verse=
Come on, I know you need a little magic
And magic is my specialty du jour
Don't just stand there looking sick
Would I kid you? Play a trick?
Like I told you, I don't do that anymore
So I think you ought to take my little bargain
Yes, I think you ought to make my little deal
Sure, it's hard to leave your life
But you could be a prince's wife
Why don't you let me take that dream and make it real?
Oh, oh, oh—
|-|Deleted chorus=
Come on, you poor unfortunate soul
Poor child! Poor fish!
Aren't you glad you brought your problem
To a lady you can trust?
Won't you let me grant your wish?
You poor unfortunate soul
Poor sweet! Poor dear!
Aren't you lucky that I'm ready with a potion and a plan?
Aren't you glad you came and asked
If I could help you? And I can
When a mermaid comes to Ursula, she always gets her man
You poor unfortunate soul!
|-|Reprise (comic adaptation)=
My scheme is working out.
Soon I will rule the sea.
That mermaid and the ocean's realm,
will soon belong to me!
|-|Broadway musical=
Ursula:
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
[Spoken Dialogue]
Ursula:
You'll have your looks... your pretty face... and don't underestimate the power of body language!
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!
You poor unfortunate soul!
Beluga, sevruga, come winds of the Caspian Sea...
Larynxes, glaucitis, ad max laryngitis, la voce to me!
Now, sing! Sing your voice over to me!
Ariel:
Ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah...
Ursula:
Sing and keep singing!
Ariel:
...ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah, ah-ah-ah-ah....
Ursula:
Now swim, swim, swim! Swim for your life, human child!
Ha ha ha...
|-|Musical reprise (demo)=
Mascara, tiara
Yea, winds of the tropics appear
Catharsis, lavorious
Et qua manicurus
mutato me here!
|-|Musical reprise=
King Triton:
"Ursula!"
Ursula:
"Brother darling! You're right on cue."
King Triton:
"Give Ariel back to me!"
Ursula:
"Not on your life!"
It so happens that your daughter signed a contract,
King Triton:
"No!"
Ursula:
Even drew a little heart above the "i"
Is it binding? Goodness, yes!
Unbreakable, unless...
King Triton:
"Unless?"
Ursula:
"There is a little somethin' we could try."
King Triton:
"Go on."
Ursula:
Yes,
Perhaps we can arrange a sort of tradeoff.
King Triton:
"What?"
Ursula:
Maybe swap your daughter's soul for, say, your own
Sign the scroll and set her free
Or else she comes with me
To suffer through eternity alone...
"The mute little hatchling, drowning in her own sorrow, with no voice left to cry out your name... Well? I'm waiting."
King Triton:
"It's not my soul you're after-it's my power."
Ursula:
"Which would you rather be?"
"The King of the Sea... or a father to his little girl?"
"Finally! The oceans belong to me!"
And now you poor unfortunate soul!
Time's up! You're through!
Now the power of Poseidon
Has been once again made whole
All the magic of the trident
And the shell in my control!
And now dark shall reign forever
Over ocean, sea and shoal!
Now see for yourselves how banishment feels!
You poor unfortunate soul!
|-|Jonas Brothers=
I admit that in the past I've been a nasty
They weren't kidding when they called me kinda strange
But you'll find that nowadays
I've mended all my ways
Repented, seen the light, and made a change
And I fortunately know a little secret
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 me crying
"Will you help us, pretty please?"
And I help them? Yes, I do
The men up there don't like a lot of blabber
They think a girl who gossips is a bore!
Yes, on land it's much preferred
for ladies not to say a word
And after all, dear, what is idle prattle for?
They're not all that impressed with conversation
True gentlemen avoid it when they can
But they dote and swoon and fawn
on ladies who withdrawn
It's she who holds her tongue who gets a man
Poor unfortunate souls
Go ahead! Make your choice!
I'm a very busy person and I haven't got all day
It won't cost much. Just your voice!
Those poor unfortunate souls
So sad, so true
If you wanna cross the bridge, my sweet, you've got the pay the toll
Take a gulp, take a breath, go ahead, sign the scroll
Nick and Kevin, now I've got her, boys
The boss is on a roll
You 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 me crying
"Will you help us, pretty please?"
And I help them? Yes, I do!
Those poor unfortunate souls
|-|The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure=
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.)
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
Beluga, sevruga, come winds of the Caspian Sea...
Larynxes, glaucitis, et max laryngitis, la voce to me!
|-|Descendants 2=
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
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, lonely, and depressed
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
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
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
Poor unfortunate souls
So sad, so true
They come flocking to my cauldron
Crying, "Spells, Ursula, please!"
And I help them!
Yes I do
The men up there don't like a lot of blabber
They think a girl who gossips is a bore!
Yes on land it's much preferred
for ladies not to say a word
And after all dear, what is idle prattle for?
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!
(yeah, yeah)
Poor unfortunate soul
It's sad (so sad) but true
If you want to cross the bridge
You've got the pay the toll
Take a gulp and take a breath
And go ahead and
(come on you)
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
(come on you)
Poor unfortunate souls
In pain, in need
They come flocking to my cauldron
Crying, "Spells, Ursula, please!"
And I help them!
Yes I do
|-|The Little Mermaid Live!=
Ursula: (Ha ha ha ha ha ha! Oooh!)
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
Now here's the deal
If you dare, there's a potion I'll prepare
Just consume it, you'll be human
Three whole days up above
By the end of day three
Listen up, this is key!
Just convince Mr. Prince
And get a kiss of true love
Ariel: If I do?
Ursula: Lucky you
You stay human, through and through
You can go, wed your beau
And be totally divine
Ariel: And if not?
Ursula: Then guess what girl
You turn back into a mergirl
Same as you once were girl
But that tail will be mine
Don't be shy, dear
What will it be?
You want the guy, dear?
Leave it to me
Ariel: But what about my father? And my family?
Ursula: Hmm. Sorry, dear
There's no way to spin it
Life's full of tough choices, innit?
One last thing, silly me
Did I mention there's a fee?
Nothing choice, just your voice
No more talking, singing, zip
Ariel: Not a word?
Ursula: Not a note, not a whisper from your throat
Show some spine, you'll be fine
Honey, here's a little tip: 
You'll have your looks... your pretty face... and don't forget to underestimate the power of body language! Ha ha ha! Whoo-oo-oo! Yeah!
The men up there don't like a lot of blabber
They think a girl who gossips is a bore!
And on land it's much preferred for ladies not to say a word
And after all, dear, what is idle prattle for?
Come on you poor unfortunate souls
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
So sad, but true
If you want to cross the bridge, my sweet, you've got the pay the toll
Take a gulp, take a breath, and go ahead and sign the scroll
Flotsam, Jetsam, now I've got her, boys
The boss is on a roll!
You poor unfortunate souls!
Yeah!
Beluga, sevruga, come winds of the Caspian Sea...
Larynxes, glaucitis, et max laryngitis, la voce to me!
Now, sing!
Ariel: Ah ah ah, ah ah ah
Ah ah ah, ah ah ah
Ursula: Keep singing!
Ariel: Ah ah ah, ah ah ah
Ah ah ah, ah ah ah...
Ursula: Ha ha ha ha ha! Wa ha ha ha ha!...
|-|The Little Mermaid Live! reprise=
And at last, I'll live the life that I have longed for,
All the glamour and the glitter and the glitz,
Not to mention, by the way,
A great seafood buffet,
I love my subjects literally to bits.
As for those poor unfortunate souls:
My reign, my rules!
I'd employ delicious terror from the trenches to the shoals,
And enjoy sadistic pleasures from the tropics to the poles,
And, oh boy, I'll get revenge with you-know-who in starring roles...
Those poor...
Un...
Fortunate...
Souls!
|-|World of Color: Villainous!=
Ursula: 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, lonely, and depressed (or is that just your natural power?)
Poor unfortunate souls
So sad, so true
They come flocking to my cauldron
crying "Spells, Ursula, please!"
And I help them? Yes, I do
[dialogue interruption]
Polyp: In the past she's been a nasty
Polyps: (a little witch)
Polyp: But now she's seen the light and made...
Polyps: ...a little switch
Polyp: She know a little magic
Polyps: (please don't laugh)
She wants to use it on your behalf
Polyps: Poo-oooo-oo-oo-oor
Poor unfortunate
Poo-oooo-oo-oo-oor
Poor unfortunate soooooul
Da-da-da, da-dada-da da-dada-da-da
Poor unfortunate...fortunate...
sooooooooooooooooul
Ursula: Keep singing!
You slugs are fabulous
Polyps: O-o-o-oh yea-eaaah
Poo-oo-oo-oo-oor
Poor unfortunate sou-oul
Ursula: You poor unfortunate soul
It's sad...
Polyps: (so sad)
Ursula: ...but true
Polyps: (so true)
Ursula: If you want to cross the bridge, my sweet, you've got the pay the toll
Polyps: Take a gulp and take a breath, and go ahead and sign the scroll
Ursula: Flotsam, Jetsam, now I've got her boys
Polyps: The boss is on a ro-o-o-o-o-o-o-oll!
Shelly Marie: Whoah
Polyps: Poor, un...
Poor un-for-tu-nate...
Ursula: POOR UNFORTUNATE SOUL! (laughs)
Polyps: Oooooo-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-oh
Ursula: Wonderful
|-|2023 version=
Ursula:
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 here lately, please, don't laugh
I use it on behalf of the miserable, lonely and depressed
Pathetic
Poor unfortunate souls in pain, in need
This onе longing to be thinner
That one wants to gеt 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
(spoken)
So here's the deal: I'll whip up a little potion to make you human for three days. Got that? Three days. Before the sun sets on the third day, you and the princey must share a kiss — and not just any kiss: the kiss of true love. If you do, you will remain human permanently. But if you don't, you'll turn back into a mermaid — and you belong to me. We got a deal?
Ariel: (spoken)
I don't know. 
Ursula: (spoken)
Life's full of tough choices, in'it?
Ariel: (spoken)
No, this is wrong. I can't do this. 
Ursula: (spoken)
Fine then. Forget about the world above. Go back home to daddy and never leave again. 
Ursula:
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 a bridge, my sweet
You've got to pay the toll
Pluck a scale from off your tail
A drop of blood inside the bowl!
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!
Amnesia, glossitis et max laryngitis
La voce to me!
Now, sing!
Ariel:
Ah, ah, ah, ah
Ursula:
Keep singing!
Ariel:
Ah, ah, ah, ah
|-|2023 version (reprise)=
Vanessa: 
Ah, ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah
La-da-da, la-da-di,
la-da-da, la-da-da
La-da-di, la-da-da,
la-da-da-da-da
La-da-di, la-da-da,
la-da-da
Ursula: (spoken) So long, red!
</tabber>
==Videos==
The Little Mermaid - Poor Unfortunate Souls (Reprise) Blu-Ray 1080p HD
Jonas Brothers - Poor Unfortunate Souls - Official Music Video (HD)
China Anne McClain - Poor Unfortunate Souls (From "Descendants 2" Audio Only)
Poor Unfortunate Souls - The Little Mermaid Live!
Melissa McCarthy - Poor Unfortunate Souls (From "The Little Mermaid"-Audio Only)
Melissa McCarthy - Poor Unfortunate Souls (From "The Little Mermaid")
Alan Menken - Vanessa's Trick (From "The Little Mermaid"-Score-Audio Only)
Alan Menken - Vanessa's Trick (From "The Little Mermaid")
【曲のみ】哀れな人々 from Disney Music Parade 【ミューパレ】
==Trivia==
*In the last sentence of the song; Admax is a mix of Latin and English - "ad" is something to the note of "of" and max is the latin term for "maximum." "La voce" is Catalan, and a rough translation is "softness of voice." "Glacydis" appears to be completely made up word.
*Howard Ashman recorded a version of the song with himself in the role of Ursula, to send to Carroll to convince her to take the role, which it did. This version was released in the four-CD set The Music Behind the Magic. Carroll admits that she borrowed some of the inflections she used in the song from Ashman's performance, and that he had been delighted she had done so.
*Carroll's original rendition of "Poor Unfortunate Souls" was included on a 1995 compilation CD of songs performed by or about various Disney villains called Rascal Songs. The CD was released as part of a four-disc Disney song series as a McDonald's promotional item.
*During the song, Ursula pulls out a contract, laying out the terms of the deal. The movie spares a moment to glance over the words of the contract, but speeds from the top of the scroll to the bottom at fast speed. If one were to slow down the movie at this part, they would notice that the contract is made up of garbled words, and a Hidden Mickey can be seen as well.
*"Poor Unfortunate Souls" underwent little changes from storyboard to the final cut. One segment in the beginning of the scene was cut out from the final film, when Ursula beckoned Ariel to come in. She toyed with her hair for a bit and then explained to Ariel how she's been banished for attempting to, "elevate" her station in life. Which Ariel claimed, was attempting to overthrow her father.
**There's another change that was made, in that an entire segment of the song was completely omitted from the final version of the scene which was meant to convince Ariel that going with Eric was the right thing, despite having to leave her family behind. At this point, the storyboarded version of the film cut off to Ursula explaining her price to Ariel, however, there was another version that went just a little further. It was Howard Ashman's demo version, which drastically lengthened "Poor Unfortunate Souls"' length.
*In the official comic book, Vanessa sang her reprise of the song, but with a new set of lyrics for the moment. Instead of dancing around her room in this version, Vanessa was sitting on a chair and brushing her hair while using a hand mirror instead of the large one in the film.
*The French translation is quite similar to the original. However, the literal translation of the name would be Pauvres âmes infortunées, but they have chosen to replace it by Pauvres âmes en perdition (more or less translatable with Poor souls in distress), which is a clever pun because en perdition can mean in distress, but also (talking about a ship) about to sink, which makes sense in an underwater story, and âme en perdition can mean soul in perdition in a religious meaning, which also makes sense given that Ariel is about to conclude a Faustian deal in that song.
*Before this song was written, Ursula would sing a song called "Silence is Golden". The lyrics of this were partly reinjected into "Poor Unfortunate Souls".
*An episode of Once Upon a Time ("Poor Unfortunate Soul") is named after this song.
*During the reprise, an error can be seen when Vanessa stomps on a bottle on the vanity. In one shot, the bottle is seen as being blue, but in a close up, another bottle can be seen that is purple, which she steps on. After the shot pans out, both the blue bottle and the purple one, are gone.
*In the comic book adaptation of the film, Vanessa sings the reprise when the shell necklace is not shown, implying that she can still use Ariel's voice so long as the necklace is intact.
*In the Cantonese dub of the film, the dubbers did not translate the reprise; instead replacing the lyrics with a sample of Jodi Benson's vocalization.
*In the Greek 1998 version, Vanessa's middle laugh in the reprise is not dubbed at all; instead, she stays silent.
*15 years after the release of the film, "Poor Unfortunate Souls (Reprise)" finally got a release for the Walt Disney Records Legacy Collection Soundtrack. Before then, it was unofficially called "Vanessa's Song".
*When Ursula sings "It's she who holds her tongue who gets a man", she throws a tongue into the potion she's making. This may be a reference to the original Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, in which the mermaid turns human when the sea witch cuts off her tongue.
==External links==
*
es:Poor Unfortunate Souls
fi:Surkeat sielut
fr:Pauvres Âmes en Perdition
pt-br:Poor Unfortunate Souls
Category:Songs
Category:The Little Mermaid songs
Category:Villain songs
Category:Fantasmic songs
Category:Celebrate the Magic
Category:Villains Tonight
Category:Songs with alternate lyrics
Category:Descendants songs
Category:Wonderful World of Color
Category:Reprise
Category:Halloween songs
Category:Songs in video games