Holding The Group Back

Lyrics

FZ: Then, from out of the corner from the stage, comes Roy Ralph Estrada, perturbed at the present situation within the Mothers.

Roy: Domino, Domino, Domino Biz-bo-OH,
Domino Biz-bo-OH, Amen, Domino Biz-bo, Hallelujah, eh . . .
Ian: Et cum spiritu tuo . . .
Roy: Ian, I don't think I qualify for the Mothers
(FZ: They're making up their lines as they go along, isn't it thrilling?)
Ian: Why, Roy?
Roy: Because I don't think I'm qualified. I think, I think I'm holding the group back because I'm a MEXICAN. And also because I don't play bass good.
Ian: I don't care how you can play bass but we have NO MEXICANS in this group.
Roy: And I wanna join your group.
Ian: No Mexicans!
Roy: I can sing opera, I have already quit, I cut my hair, I got all my shit together here. I can do it.
Ian: I don't care how you look you gotta be able to cut the part.
Roy: I can sing. Please. Please, Ian, give me a CHANCE.
Ian: I don't believe you can sing.
Roy: Ah, PLEASE! Ah, Ian, please, hear my PLEA! PLEASE, IAN! PLE-E-E-EASE! I can do it, give me a CHANCE! PLEASE! Please, IAN!
(FZ: Try me!)
Roy: BWAH-AH-AH-AH! Please!
Ian: Okay Mexican
Roy: Please?
Ian: Okay Mexican
Roy: Okay.
Ian: Sing this note:

Roy (with JCB): You think everything gonna be alright.

Ian: Okay. You passed the first part of your audition. Now you gotta sing . . .
Roy: Mi, mi, mi, mi . . .

Records On Which This Song Has Appeared

Zappa Albums & Side Projects

• Ahead Of Their Time

Notes About This Song

This track is part of the Zappa's one-time stage production Progress?.

Roy Estrada was dressed as Pope Paul VI during this performance, in reference to the Holy Father's condemnation of contraceptives, only a few weeks back. Estrada sang in Latin, carrying a plastic pail with the inscription "No More Ugly Babies" while throwing Smarties (representing birth-control pills).

CC Clues In This Song

• The line "Domino vobiscum et cum spiritum tuo" would later reappear in Father O'Blivion and The Mammy Nuns.