The Little Mermaid Quotations

The Little Mermaid is a 1989 film by Walt Disney Pictures, based on the fairy tale of the same name by Hans Christian Andersen.

Written and directed by Ron Clements and John Musker.

Somewhere under the sea and beyond your imagination is an adventure in fantasy. Tagline

Ariel

I'm 16 years old! I'm not a child anymore!

You're not getting cold fins now are you?

Don't be such a guppy.

Flounder, will you relax? Nothing is going to happen.

Music? Oh, the concert! Oh my gosh, my father's going to kill me.

If only I could make my father understand. I just don't see things the way he does. I don't see how a world that makes such wonderful things, could be bad.

He's very handsome, isn't he?

[Last lines] I love you, Daddy.

Sebastian

Ariel, please, will you get your head out of the clouds and back in the water, where it belongs?

Someone's gotta nail that girl's fins to the floor.

Boy, what a softshell I'm turning out to be.

Scuttle

It's a dinglehopper. Humans use these little babies... to straighten their hair out. See? Just a little twirl here and a yank there and voi-o-lay! You've got an aesthetically pleasing configuration of hair that humans go nuts over. [showing Ariel a kitchen fork]

We're out to discover.

Well! Look what the catfish dragged in. Look at ya. Look at ya! There's somethin' different. Don't tell me... I got it, it's your hairdo, right? You've been using the dinglehopper, right?

If you wanna be a human, for the first thing you gotta dress like one.

It's hard to say...

Ursula

Flotsam, Jetsam! I want you to keep an extra close watch on this pretty little daughter of his. She may be the key to Triton's undoing.

In my day, we had fantastical feasts when I lived in the palace.

Come in. Come in, my child. We mustn't lurk in doorways. It's rude. One might question your upbringing.

Nice work, boys! That was a close one. Too close! The little tramp! Oh, she's better than I thought. At this rate he'll be kissing her by sunset for sure! Well, it's time Ursula took matters into her own tentacles! Triton's daughter will be mine! And then I'll make him writhe. I'll see him wriggle like a worm on a hook!

[after accidentally destroying her own eels] Babies! [catches what's left of the eels] My poor little poopsies!

Now I am the ruler of all the ocean! The waves obey my every whim!

[last words] So much for true love!

Dialogue

[Scuttle shows Ariel and Flounder a pipe for smoking]

Scuttle: I haven't seen this in years, this is wonderful. A banded, bulbous snarfblatt.

Ariel and Flounder: Oh!

Scuttle: Now, the snarfblatt dates back to prehistorical times when humans used to sit around and stare at each other all day. Got very boring. So they invented this snarfblatt to make fine music. Allow me. [blows it, only to have seaweed and water come out]

Triton: You went up to the surface again, didn't you? Didn't you?!

Ariel: Nothing happened.

Triton: [exasperatedly] Ariel, how many times must we go through this? You could've been seen by one of those barbarians. By... By one of those... humans!

Ariel: Daddy, they're not barbarians!

Triton: They are dangerous! Do you think I want to see my youngest daughter snared by some fish-eater's hook?!

Ariel: I'm 16 years old! I'm not a child anymore!

Triton: Don't you take that tone of voice with me, young lady! As long as you live under my ocean, you'll obey my rules!

Ariel: But if you would just listen!

Triton: NOT another word! And I am never, NEVER to hear of you going to the surface again! IS THAT CLEAR?!

(Ariel disappointedly swims away)

Sebastian: Teenagers. Dey think dey know everything. You give dem an inch, dey swim all over you.

Triton: Do you think I was too hard on her?

Sebastian: Definitely not! Why, if Ariel was my daughter, I'd show her who was boss! None o' dis flitting to the surface and other such nonsense. No, sir! I'd keep her under tight control.

Triton: [smiles] You're absolutely right, Sebastian.

Sebastian: Of course.

Triton: Ariel needs constant supervision.

Sebastian: Constant.

Triton: Someone to watch over her. To keep her out of trouble.

Sebastian: All da time.

Triton: And YOU are just the crab to do it!

[Ariel and Scuttle see Eric.]

Ariel: I've never seen a human this close before. Oh - he's very handsome, isn't he?

[Scuttle looks at Eric's dog, Max.]

Scuttle: I dunno, he looks kinda hairy and slobbery to me.

Triton: [confronts Ariel in her grotto] I consider myself to be a reasonable merman. I set certain rules and I expect those rules to be obeyed.

Ariel: But Dad, I...!

Triton: Is it true you rescued a human from drowning?!

Ariel: Daddy, I had to.

Triton: Contact between the human world and the mer world is strictly forbidden! Ariel, you know that! Everyone knows that!

Ariel: He would've died!

Triton: One less human to worry about.

Ariel: [angrily] You don't even know him!

Triton: Know him? I don't have to know him! They're all the same: Spineless, savage, harpooning fish-eaters, incapable of any feeling.

Ariel: Daddy, I love him! [gasps, as she has accidentally slipped the truth]

Triton: (shocked) No. Have you lost your senses completely?! He's a human! You're a mermaid!

Ariel: I don't care!

Triton: So help me, Ariel, I am going to get through to you. And if this is the only way, so be it!

[He proceeds to destroy most of the grotto with his magic trident]

(Eric rows to the rescue)

Grimsby: Eric, what are you doing?!

Eric: Grim, I lost her once. I'm not gonna lose her again!

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

Ursula: That's right. But you'll have your man. Life's full of tough choices, innit?

Eric: [to a mute Ariel] You know I feel really bad not knowing your name. Maybe I could guess. Is it, uh, Mildred? [Ariel sticks her tongue out] [laughs] Okay, no. How about, uh, Diana? [Ariel shakes her head] Rachel?

Sebastian: [whispers] Ariel. Her name is Ariel.

Eric: [to himself] Ariel. [Ariel nods excitedly] Ariel? [Ariel nods again and takes his hand] Hey, that's kinda pretty. [takes her hand tenderly] Okay, Ariel.

Scuttle: Ariel, I was flying... of course I was flying. I saw- I saw the watch- the witch was watching the mirror and she was singing with a stolen set of pipes. Do you hear what I'm telling you? The prince is marrying the seawitch in disguise!

Sebastian: Are you sure about this?

Scuttle: Have I ever been wrong? [beat] I mean, when it's important?

Triton: She really does love him, doesn't she, Sebastian?

Sebastian: Well, it's like I always say, your majesty, children got to be free to lead their own life.

Triton: You always say that?

[Sebastian smiles sheepishly]

Triton: Then I guess there's just one problem left.

Sebastian: And what's that, your majesty?

Triton: How much I'm going to miss her.

[Sebastian stares at him in surprise as Triton uses his magic to turn Ariel into a human]

Daughters of Triton

Ah, we are the daughters of Triton

Great father who loves us and named us well.

Aquata, Andrina, Arista, Atina, Adella, Allana,

And then there is the youngest in her musical debut

Our seventh little sister, we're presenting her to you

To sing a song Sebastian wrote

Her voice is like a bell

She's our sister, Ari--

Part of Your World

Ariel: If only I could make him understand. I just don't see things the way he does. I just don't see how a world that makes such wonderful things could be bad.

Look at this stuff, isn't it neat?

Wouldn't you think my collection's complete?

Wouldn't you think I'm the girl,

The girl who has everything?

Look at this trove, treasures untold,

How many wonders can one cavern hold?

Lookin' around here you'd think,

'Sure, she's got everything.'

I've got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty,

I've got who's-its and what's-its galore.

You want thing-a-mybobs, I got twenty.

But who cares? No big deal, I want more!

I wanna be where the people are,

I wanna see, wanna see 'em dancin'.

Walking around on those,

what do you call them? Oh... feet.

Flippin' your fins, you don't get too far.

Legs are required for jumpin', dancin',

Strollin along down a, what's that word again?.. Street.

Up where they walk, up where they run,

Up where they stay all day in the sun.

Wanderin' free, wish I could be,

Part of that world.

What would I give if I could live

Out of these waters?

What would I pay, to spend a day

Warm on the sand?

Betcha on land, they understand.

Bet they don't reprimand their daughters.

Bright young women, sick of swimmin',

Ready to stand!

And ready to know what the people know,

Ask 'em my questions and get some answers.

What's a fire and why does it,

What's the word... burn?

When's it my turn?

Wouldn't I love,

Love to explore that shore up above,

Out of the sea, wish I could be,

Part of that world.

Under the Sea

Sebastian: Down here is your home! Ariel, listen to me, the human world it's a mess. Life under the sea is better than anything they got up there.

[sings] The seaweed is always greener

In somebody else's lake,

You dream about going up there,

But that is a big mistake.

Just look at the world around you,

Right here on the ocean floor.

Such wonderful things around you,

What more is you lookin' for?

Under the Sea, under the sea.

Darlin', it's better, down where it's wetter,

Take it from me.

Up on the shore they work all day,

Out in the sun they slave away,

While we're devoting full time to floating

Under the sea.

Down here all the fish is happy,

As, off through the waves, they roll.

The fish on the land ain't happy,

They sad 'cause they in the bowl.

But fish in the bowl is lucky,

They in for a worser fate.

One day when the boss get hungry,

Guess who gon'be on the plate.

Oh no! Under the sea, under the sea,

Nobody beat us, fry us

And eat us in fricassee.

We what the landfolks love to cook,

Under the sea we off the hook.

We got no troubles, life is the bubbles,

Under the sea. Under the sea!

Since life is sweet here,

We got to be here naturally.

Even the sturgeon and the ray,

They get the urge and start to play.

We got the spirit, you got to hear it,

Under the sea.

The newt play the flute,

The carp play the harp,

The plaice play the bass,

And they soundin' sharp.

The bass play the brass,

The chub play the tub,

The flute is the duke of soul.

The ray, he can play,

The lings on the strings,

The trout rockin' out.

The blackfish, she sings,

The smelt and the sprat,

They know where it's at,

And, oh, that blowfish blow.

Under the sea, under the sea,

Under the sea, under the sea.

When the sardine begin the beguine,

It's music to me.

What do they got, a lot of sand,

We got a hot crustaceuan band.

Each little clam here,

Know how to jam here,

Under the sea.

Each little slug here,

Cutting a rug here,

Under the sea.

Each little snail here,

Know how to wail here.

That's why it's hotter,

Under the water.

Ya, we in luck here,

Down in the muck here,

Under the sea.

Part of Your World Reprise

Ariel: What would I give to live where you are?

What would I pay, to stay here beside you?

What would I do to see you smiling at me?

Where would we walk?

Where would we run?

If we could stay all day in the sun

Just you and me

And I could be

Part of your world

I dont know when

I dont know how

But I know that somethings started right now

Watch and you'll see

Someday i'll be

Part of your world

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.

[sings] 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 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.

...

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!

[sings] 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 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 her man. Come on, you poor unfortunate soul. Go ahead, maked 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 unfortuate soul, it's sad, but true. If you want to cross a bridge, my sweet, you've got to 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, ad max, laryngitis, la voce to me.

Les Poissons

Louis:

Les poissons, les poissons

How I love les poissons

Love to chop up and to serve little fish

First I cut off their heads

Then I pull out their bones

Ah, mais oui, ca c'est

Toujours delish.

Les poissons, les poissons

Hee-hee-hee, haw-haw-haw

With the cleaver I hack them in two.

I pull out what's inside

And serve it up fried.

God, I love little fishes, don't you?

Here's something for tempting the palate

Prepared in the classic technique

First you pound the fish flat

With a mallet.

Then you slash through the skin

Give the belly a slice

Then you rub some salt in

'Cause that makes it taste nice.

[sees Sebastian] Zut alors, I have missed one!

Sacre bleu! What is this?

How on earth could I miss

Such a sweet little succulent crab.

Quel domage. What a loss

Here we go in the sauce

Now some flour, I think just a dab.

Now I stuff you with bread

It don't hurt 'cause you're dead

And you're certainly lucky you are.

'Cause it's gonna be hot

In my big silver pot

Toodle-oo, mon poisson, au revoir!

Kiss the Girl

Sebastian: Percussion, strings, winds, words...

There you see her

Sitting there across the way

She don't got a lot to say

But there's something about her

And you don't know why

But you're dying to try

You wanna kiss the girl

Yes, you want her

Look at her, you know you do

Possible she want you to

There is one way to ask her

It don't take a word

Not a single word

Go on and kiss the girl

Sing with me now

Sha la la la la la, my oh my

Look like the boy too shy

Ain't gonna kiss the girl

Sha la la la la la, ain't that sad

Ain't it a shame, too bad

He gonna miss the girl

Now's your moment

Floating in the blue lagoon

Boy, you'd better do it soon

No time will be better

She don't say a word

And she won't say a word

Until you kiss the girl

Sha la la la la la, don't be scared

You got the mood prepared

Go on and kiss the girl

Sha la la la la la, don't stop now

Don't try to hide it

How you wanna kiss the girl

Sha la la la la la, float along

And listen to the song

The song say kiss the girl.

You've gotta kiss the girl

You wanna kiss the girl

You've gotta kiss the girl

Go on and kiss the girl

Cast (voices)

Jodi Benson — Ariel
Christopher Daniel Barnes — Prince Eric
Samuel Wright — Sebastian
Pat Carroll — Ursula
Buddy Hackett — Scuttle
Jason Marin — Flounder
Kenneth Mars — King Triton
Paddi Edwards — Flotsam and Jetsam