Lagu ini menggambarkan tentang karakter Ursula yang licik dengan kekuatan sihirnya. Lagunya memberikan keyakinan kepada Ariel, bahwa Ursula satu-satunya harapan dia untuk mewujudkan niatnya hidup di darat. Berikut adalah lirik dari lagu Poor Unfortunate Souls:
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, I've been a wicked witch
But I've found a friend who is my match
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
Have we got a deal?
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
