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!