Arabian Nights

Arabian Nights
Followed by	"One Jump Ahead"

"Arabian Nights" is the opening song from Aladdin, with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman which was performed by the Peddler (singing voice by the late Bruce Adler). Howard Ashman and Alan Menken had written several reprises, but they were ultimately cut from the final film.

An alternate version of the song utilizing lyrics from the original demo was later featured in The Return of Jafar, performed by Brian Hannan. This version was also used as the main titles theme for the Aladdin television series.

Aladdin and the King of Thieves features a reprise performed by Bruce Adler as the Peddler, which was originally recorded for the first film.

Lyrics

1992 version

Oh, I come from a land, from a faraway place
Where the caravan camels roam
Where it's flat and immense
and the heat is intense
It's barbaric, but hey, it's home

When the wind's from the east
And the sun's from the west
And the sand in the glass is right
Come on down, stop on by
Hop a carpet and fly
to another Arabian night

Arabian Nights like Arabian days
More often than not
are hotter than hot
in a lot of good ways

Arabian Nights 'neath Arabian moons
A fool off his guard
could fall and fall hard
out there on the dunes

The Return of Jafar/TV series version

Follow me to a place where incredible feats are routine every hour or so
Where enchantment runs rampant
Yes, wild in the streets
Open Sesame, here we go!

Arabian Nights
like Arabian Days
They tease and excite
Take off and take flight
They shock and amaze

Arabian Nights
Like Arabian Days
More often than not
are hotter than hot
in a lot of good ways

Pack your shield, pack your sword
You won't ever get bored
Though get beaten or gored, you might
Come on down, stop on by
Hop a carpet and fly
to another Arabian Night
Arabian Night!

King of Thieves version

So it goes, short and sweet
They were wed down the street
May their marriage be truly blessed
Happy end to the tale
And tomorrow's a sale
So I'd better go home and rest

Here's a kiss and a hug
Sure you don't need a rug?
I assure the price is right
Well, salaam, worthy friend
Come back soon, that's the end
Till another Arabian night

Broadway version

Genie
(spoken) Salam and good evening to you all dear friends
Welcome to the fabled city of Agrabah
City of flying carpets, soaring heroes, famous love
ballads, and more glitz and glamour than any other
fictional city in the world!

(sung) Oh, I come from a land, from a faraway place
Where the caravan camels roam
Where it's flat and immense
and the heat is intense
It's barbaric, but hey, it's home

When the wind's from the east
and the sun's from the west
and the sand in the glass is right
Come on down, stop on by
Hop a carpet and fly
to another Arabian night

(spoken) And of course you know what Agrabah is famous for
This magical lamp
Don't be fooled by it's common place appearance
Like so many things it's not what on the outside, but what's on the inside that counts,
This lamp put Agrabah on the map
You've never been?
We can fix that!

(sung) Follow me to a place
where incredible feats
are routine every hour or so
Where enchantment runs rampant
Runs wild in the streets
Open Sesame, here we go!

See the dervishes dance
in ridiculous pants
And romance to your hearts delight

Genie and Company
Come on down (Come on in)
Let the magic begin
It's another Arabian Nights

Arabian Nights, like Arabian days
More often than not
are hotter than hot
in a lot of good ways

Arabian Nights, 'neath Arabian moons
a fool off his guard
could fall and fall hard
out there on the dunes

Soloist
In that magical land
that mystical place
there's a genie inside of every door

Men
He'll do all of your bidding
Your wishes command

Genie
It's demeaning but hey, there you are!

Ladies
Unbelievable, yes
And an ethical mess

Ensemble
None the less
No ones very contrite

You come here and you come to a land where any mountain can move
A land of high intrigue
with tricky logistics
by prophets and mystics

Genie
And I've got statistics that prove

All
Arabian nights
Arabian nights

(dance break)

Genie
(spoken) Agrabah, Come for the hummus, stay for the floor show
Even the poor people look fabulous
And everyone here has a minor in dance

And now for the softer side of Agrabah!

(harem dance)

And of course you must watch your step here in Agrabah
For danger lurks around every corner

It's a city where a penniless nobody
Can turn out to be a noble somebody

Where a Princess would give up her crown for true love
But her father is a stickler for the old ways

And our heroes pals are as thick as thieves
Adorable... But thieves

And oh did I mention,
Everybody sings!

Full Company
Arabian Nights like Arabian days
More often than not
are hotter than hot
in a lot of good ways

Arabian Nights 'neath Arabian moons
A fool off his guard
Could fall and fall hard
Out there on the dunes

Arabian Nights
Arabian Nights
Arabian Nights
Arabian Nights!