This boat has seen us through many a storm.Aladdin · 2019 — Chapter 1 of 24 · 3'43" · B1
The Mariner Tells Aladdin's Story, Explained: The diamond in the rough
A storyteller on a ship opens the tale of Aladdin for the children, dangling a magic lamp and a land of secrets. "This boat has seen us through many a storm," he says of the battered vessel, and the children's blunt questions soon give way to the film's first song.
What happens
Aboard a ship, a storyteller gathers the children and begins the tale of Aladdin, a princess and a lamp. The children ask what is so special about a lamp, and he calls it a magic lamp. After a joke about singing, the tale gives way to the film's opening song, "Arabian Nights."
Listen for
The diamond in the roughseen us throughmore than it seemsoff his guard
00:00 / 03:43Space play · ← → lines · R repeat
Now
Phrase of the scene
The diamond in the rough
未经打磨的璞玉；外表普通但内里出众的人
神洞的石狮在片头说出进入的条件，宣布只有藏在粗石里的钻石才有资格走进洞中。
The rookie nobody noticed turned out to be a diamond in the rough.
Also in this scene
- seen us through
陪着（我们）熬过、撑过难关
- more than it seems
不止表面看起来那样
- off his guard
放松了警惕、疏于防备
Everything marked in this scene
19 notes across 45 lines
This boat has seen us through many a storm.liaison
This boat has seen us through many a storm.It may not look like much, but it has something theirs never will.ellipsis in comparison
It may not look like much, but it has something theirs never will.It is unclear.it's time that
I think it's time that I told you the story...No, no. No singing. It's been a long day.Come on down, stop on by Hop a carpet and fly To another Arabian nightliaison
Come on down, stop on by Hop a carpet and fly To another Arabian nightMore often than not Are hotter than hot In a lot of good waysThis mystical land Of magic and sand Is more than it seemsWell, your destiny Lies in your handsliaison
Well, your destiny Lies in your handsrelative clause with whose
One whose worth lies far within.one
One whose worth lies far within.The diamond in the rough.A fool off his guard Could fall and fall hardA fool off his guard Could fall and fall hardThe Mariner Tells Aladdin's Story, explained
What's really going on
Before the story proper begins, the frame does quiet work. Saying of the battered boat, "This boat has seen us through many a storm," turns something worn into a boast, and the next line makes the point explicit: "It may not look like much, but it has something theirs never will." The same idea returns as a promise about people, when the Lion's Head speaks of "The diamond in the rough." By praising what is overlooked, the opening states the film's theme early, while the children's blunt questions keep it from turning solemn. The storyteller's refusal to sing signals he would rather charm than perform.
Theme
IdentityThe opening prizes hidden worth, calling an overlooked boy the diamond in the rough.
DreamsA magic lamp is dangled as the start of a story about wanting more than you were given.
Listen for
- seen us — liaison
- stop on by — liaison
- Lies in your hands — liaison
This boat has seen us through many a storm.A proud, old-fashioned way to say the boat has carried them through hard times, giving the battered vessel a history.
It may not look like much, but it has something theirs never will.The boat looks shabby but has heart the fancier ships lack, and the line doubles as a lesson about people.
No, no. No singing. It's been a long day.A dry joke: after a suggestion to sing, the teller waves it off, insisting the day has been long enough.
This mystical land Of magic and sand Is more than it seemsThe lyric promises that Agrabah hides more than it shows, framing the whole film as a place of secrets.
Questions about this scene
Why does the storyteller tell this tale to children?
It opens the film as a frame story. The children are the audience inside the movie, and their blunt questions let the teller introduce the lamp and the world before the song begins.
What is "the diamond in the rough"?
It is the Lion's Head's phrase for the one worthy to enter the cave: a person of hidden value who looks ordinary from the outside.
Is the singing actually part of the story?
It is. The refusal to sing is a joke that gives way to "Arabian Nights," the film's opening number, so the frame slides straight into song.
Who is the Lion's Head speaking to?
It guards the Cave of Wonders and speaks to whoever seeks entry, warning that only one person, the diamond in the rough, may go in.
Aladdin · 24 chapters
All chapters →
Up next · Chapter 2one jump aheadAladdin's One Jump Ahead Chase
Watching · Chapter 1The diamond in the roughThe Mariner Tells Aladdin's Story
Chapter 2one jump aheadAladdin's One Jump Ahead Chase
Chapter 3Come and go as we pleaseAladdin Shares His Rooftop Home
Chapter 4Remember your placeJafar Manipulates the Sultan
Chapter 5like you own the placeAladdin Sneaks into the Palace
Chapter 6nothing comes for freeJafar Offers Aladdin a Deal
Chapter 7see the light of dayAladdin Enters the Cave of Wonders
Chapter 8ring a bellGenie Explains the Three Wishes
Chapter 9the cherry on topAladdin Becomes Prince Ali
Chapter 10weak in the kneesPrince Ali's Grand Parade
Chapter 11out of the gamePrince Ali's Awkward First Impression
Chapter 12see right through someoneAladdin Panics as Prince Ali
Chapter 13in a charming sort of a wayA Prince Calls on the Princess
Chapter 14crystal clearAladdin's Magic Carpet Ride
Chapter 15shine throughJafar Unveils Aladdin's Lie
Chapter 16in the neighborhoodGenie Backdates a Wish to Save Aladdin
Chapter 17under a spellJasmine Exposes Jafar
Chapter 18live a lieGenie Confronts Aladdin's Lie
Chapter 19seen and not heardJafar Seizes the Sultan's Throne
Chapter 20written in stoneJasmine Turns Hakim Against Jafar
Chapter 21the ends of the earthJafar Exposes Aladdin
Chapter 22nothing withoutJasmine Grabs the Lamp
Chapter 23mark my wordsJafar Wishes to Be the Most Powerful
Chapter 24owe you everythingAladdin's Last Wish Frees the GenieChapter 1 of 24 · about 97 min to go