"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!