AWSoP in 'The Commitments'

Joan May transcribes the 'AWSoP' bits

Scene is in a church with 'Steven' playing opening strains of AWSoP on the organ. 'Jimmy' walks in. Steven continues to play while they talk: [They mumble a phrase I couldn't get ­ designated as '-??>']

Jimmy: Steven!

Steven: Hi Jimmy. Father Molloy should be along soon...

J: Great Sound!! ... What an er ­ ??

S: Wish me granny had one of these we could borrow. [Didn't MF borrow the $$ from his granny to buy his Hammond M102? Could this be an Inside Reference?? ­ jm]

(Steven smiles, enraptured by his own playing)....... Great intro, 'uh.

J: They nicked it from Marvin Gaye.

S: HE nicked it from Bach!! [these 2 aren't much more confused than most of the music press ­ jm]

J: AH, it's BEA-U-TIFUL!!

S (singing): We skipped the light fantastic ...

J (singing): Skipped the light fandango

S&J (singing): Turned cartwheels 'cross the floor. I was feeling kind of seasick, the crowd called out for more.

J: (As Steven continues to play): Poxiest bleedin' lyrics ever written!

S: (speaking as he plays): Sixteen vestal virgins leaving for the coast ­ What's that mean?

Father Molloy (walking down aisle toward the organ): I never understood that either.

(Steven abruptly stops playing)

Father Molloy (smiling): It's a very peculiar lyric.

AWSoP is featured again at the end of the movie. (Thanks, Jonas!). The band has broken up. Jimmy is in the bathroom, pretending to be talking to a reporter - interviewing himself about the fate of the band - while looking in the mirror:

So looking back, what did you learn from the time with the Commitments, Jimmy?

That's a tricky question, Terry. But as I always say: We skipped the light fandango, turned cartwheels across the floor. I was feeling kind of seasick, but the crowd called out for more.

That's very profound, Jimmy. What does it mean?

(big grin) ­ I'm fucked if I know, Terry!'