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Template:Out of universe
| Be Prepared | |
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| Attribution information | |
| Composer | |
| Lyricist | |
| Performers | |
| Release information | |
| Released |
May 31, 1994 |
| Track |
3 |
| Length |
3:40 |
| Appearances | |
| Samples | |
| Versions | |
"Be Prepared" is a song from The Lion King. It is sung by Scar and the hyenas in anticipation of Mufasa's death.
Lyrics
| Scar: |
| 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 expressions |
| The lights are not all on upstairs |
| But we're talking kings and successions |
| Even you can't be caught unawares! |
| So prepare for the chance of a lifetime |
| Be prepared for sensational news |
| A shining new era |
| Is tiptoeing nearer |
| Shenzi: |
| And where do we feature? |
| Scar: |
| 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! |
| Banzai: (spoken) |
| Yeah! Be prepared! |
| Yeah-heh! We'll be prepared! Heh! |
| For what? |
| Scar: (spoken) |
| For the death of the king. |
| Banzai: (spoken) |
| Why? Is he sick? |
| Scar: (spoken) |
| No, fool. We're gonna kill him. |
| And Simba, too. |
| Shenzi: (spoken) |
| Great idea! |
| Who needs a king? |
| Banzai and Shenzi: |
| No king! No king! |
| La, la, la, la, la, la! |
| Scar: (spoken) |
| Idiots! |
| There will be a king! |
| Banzai: (spoken) |
| Hey, but you said- |
| Scar: (spoken) |
| I will be king! |
| Stick with me, and you'll never go hungry again! |
| Banzai and Shenzi: (spoken) |
| Yay! All right! All right! |
| Long live the king! |
| Hyenas: (spoken) |
| 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. |
| Scar: |
| 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 addressee |
| The point that I must emphasize is |
| You won't get a sniff without me! |
| So prepare for the coup of the century |
| Be prepared for the murkiest scam |
| 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 |
| Respected, saluted |
| And seen for the wonder I am! |
| Yes, my teeth and ambitions are bared |
| Be prepared! |
| All: |
| Yes, our teeth and ambitions are bared |
| Be prepared! |
Trivia
General
- This song is briefly heard in The Lion King 1½ when Timon and Pumbaa wander into the Elephant Graveyard.[1]
- In Festival of The Lion King, this song is performed as the theater takes on a darker tone.[2]
- In the stage musical and the official soundtrack, the song starts with these lyrics:[3][4]
- "I never thought hyenas essential.
- They're crude and unspeakably plain.
- But maybe they've a glimmer of potential,
- If allied to my vision and brain."
- Jeremy Irons sang the beginning of the song, but he damaged his vocal chords singing, "You won't get a sniff without me!" Jim Cummings was brought in to finish the song.[5]
- Though Jeremy Irons is often credited for singing the song, Jim Cummings has stated that he sang most of the song, while Irons only did some of the talking.[6]
In Development
- In early drafts of the film, "Be Prepared" was titled "Thanks to Me" and focused on Scar gloating to the hyenas about murdering Mufasa and chasing off Simba.[7]
- Tim Rice wrote a post-stampede reprise of the song in which Scar introduces the hyenas to the pride. However, it was ultimately scrapped due to a lively musical number being deemed inappropriate so shortly after the death of Mufasa.[7]
- Another reprise was written in which Scar tries to seduce Nala into being his queen. When she rejects him, he introduces the pride to his executive staff, the hyenas.[8]
Media
The "Be Prepared" sequence in The Lion King
References
| The Lion King (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) |
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| The Lion King Collection |
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