DISNEY - BE PREPARED

BE PREPARED

DISNEY

SONGWRITERS: ELTON JOHN & TIM RICE

MOVIE: THE LION KING

COUNTRY: U. S. A.

ALBUM: THE LION KING

LABEL: WALT DISNEY

GENRE: SOUNDTRACK

YEAR: 1994

"Be Prepared" is a song from the 1994 Disney animated film and the 1997 Broadway musical The Lion King. The song was composed by Tim Rice(lyrics) and Elton John(music) and originally performed by Jeremy Irons, Cheech Marin, Jim Cummings (who took over after Irons's voice gave out), and Whoopi Goldberg in the film and by John Vickery, Kevin Cahoon, Stanley Wayne Mathis, and Tracy Nicole Chapman in the original Broadway cast for the musical.

The song is performed as a musical number by Scar. Lusting for the position as king of the Pride Lands, a title held by his envied older brother Mufasa, he constantly spends time devising evil schemes that could potentially earn the throne for him with the assistance of his hyena minions, Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed. In it, Scar is inspired to develop a plot in which he will arrange for both Mufasa and his nephew Simba to be murdered and notifies his spotted hyenas about it through song, earning a large army of minions for himself through his pledge to spare the hungry animals from starvation if they provide him with assistance.

I know that your powers of retention

Are as wet as a warthog's backside

But thick as you are, pay attention

My words are a matter of pride

It's clear from your vacant expression

The lights are not all on upstairs

But we're talking kings and successions

Even you can't be caught unawares

So prepare for a chance of a lifetime

Be prepared for sensational news

A shining new era

Is tiptoeing nearer

And where do we feature?

Just listen to teacher

I know it sounds sordid

But you'll be rewarded

When at last I am given my dues!

And injustice deliciously squared

Be prepared!

[Hyenas] Yeah, we'll be prepared.

Be prepared for what?

[Scar] For the death of the king.

[Hyenas] Why, is he sick?

[Scar] No, fools. We'll kill him. And Simba too!

[Hyenas] Great idea! Who needs a king? No king, no king, la la la la la la.

[Scar] Idiots! There will be a king!

[Hyenas] Hey, but you said, uh...

[Scar] I will be king. Stick with me, and you'll never go hungry again!

[Hyenas] Yay! All right!

Long live the king!

Long live the king!

It's great that we'll soon be connected

With a king who'll be all-time adored

Of course, quid pro quo, you're expected

To take certain duties on board

The future is littered with prizes

And though I'm the main addresse

The point htat I must emphasize is

You won't get a sniff without me

So prepare for the coup of the centrury

Be prepared for the murkiest scam (Oooh!)

Meticulous planning (We'll have food!)

Tenacity spanning (Lots of food)

Decades of denial (We repeat)

Is simply why I'll (Endless meat)

Be king undisputed (Aaaaaaah!)

Respected, saluted (Aaaaaaah!)

And seen for the wonder I am (Aaaaaaah!)

Yes, my teeth and ambitions are bared

Be prepared!

Yes, our teeth and ambitions are bared

Be prepared!