Original subtitles

The Fighting Temptations Closed Captioned

[ woman singing]: ♪ I can hear

♪ Church bells tolling

♪ I can hear

♪ Saints a-singing

♪ I can see

♪ See hearse wheels rollin'

♪ Somebody's leavin'

♪ The world of toil and strife

♪ I realize that surely and eventually ♪

♪ We're gonna leave

♪ This old world behind, yes, we are ♪

♪ That's why I'm makin'

♪ Oh, yes, I am, making preparations ♪

♪ He-e-e-ey-- to meet the Lord ♪

♪ To meet♪

♪ He-e-e-ey

♪ The Lord♪

♪ A woman came up to me one day... ♪

Thanks, Darrin.

You're welcome.

♪ She said I'm not ready...

♪ I'm not ready to give up my wicked ways... ♪

You want to be my girlfriend?

Sorry, but I want to marry Michael Jackson.

[ fly buzzing]

Darrin, Lilly, get in there and sit down.

♪ ...he gives me a hard time

♪ Yeah, yeah

♪ I told that woman

♪ I told that woman how could you hold out any longer ♪

♪ When you see that Jesus... Jesus, he loves you so? ♪

♪ Then I heard her say, I'm gettin' ready ♪

♪ Yeah, gettin' ready

♪ I'm gettin' ready to meet the Lord ♪

♪ To meet♪

♪ Oh, yes, I am

♪ The Lord♪

♪ Gonna holler and testify ♪

♪ I'm gettin' ready

♪ Gettin' ready♪

♪ Gettin' ready

♪ Gettin' ready♪

♪ Oh, yes, I am

♪ Gettin' ready♪

♪ Yes, I am

♪ Gettin' ready♪

♪ Oh, yeah, I'm gettin' ready ♪

♪ Gettin' ready♪

♪ Every day of my life ♪

♪ Gettin' ready♪

♪ I'm gettin' ready

♪ Gettin' ready♪

Oh, yes, I am.

♪ Gettin' ready♪

♪ I'm packin' up now

♪ Gettin' ready♪

♪ I'm gettin' ready

♪ Gettin' ready♪

♪ Are you ready?

♪ Gettin' ready♪

♪ Are you ready?

♪ Gettin' ready♪

♪ Are you gettin' ready? ♪

♪ Gettin' ready♪

♪ I'm gettin' ready

♪ Gettin' ready♪

♪ I'm gettin' ready

♪ Gettin' ready♪

♪ Oh, yes, I am

♪ To meet the Lord

♪ To meet♪ ♪ Yeah

♪ Yeah, yeah

♪ The Lord

♪ To meet the Lord.

[ applause and cheers]

♪ Oh, I'm looking for that stone ♪

♪ That stone, that

♪ Flew down the mountain♪

♪ I'm looking for that stone that came... ♪

♪ Oh, alleluia

♪ I'm looking for that stone, yes, I am ♪

♪ Flew down the mountain

♪ And it's coming all the way down ♪

♪ Yes, it is ♪ Coming down

♪ Coming down... to the demon town, yeah, girl ♪

♪ We're near it, the 21st Century ♪

♪ Oh, yeah, and the Lord could come at any time ♪

♪ At any time

♪ In a second ♪ A second

♪ In a moment ♪ A moment

♪ In a twinkle of an eye

♪ Eye

♪ Going to my home up, up in the sky ♪

♪ Oh, I'm looking for that stone, yes, I am ♪

♪ Hewn off the mountain♪

♪ I'm looking for that stone

♪ Rolling down to earth♪

♪ I've got to find my stone, yes, I have ♪

♪ Hewn off the mountain♪

♪ And it's coming down

♪ Down♪

♪ All the way down

♪ All the way down♪

♪ All the way down

♪ To redeem a dying world

♪ Oh, that stone

♪ Oh, that stone, oh, that stone♪

♪ I love that stone, yes, sir

♪ That Jesus called a stone

♪ That healed the stone♪ ♪ Rejected that stone

♪ That stone ♪ That stone♪

♪ I love that stone, yeah, I love that stone ♪

♪ Well... ♪ I love that stone♪

♪ I found that stone that was... ♪

♪ Hewn off the mountain♪

♪ I found that stone, yes, I did ♪

♪ Rolling down the mountain♪

♪ Said I love my stone

Whoa! ♪ Hewn off the mountain♪

♪ And it's coming all the way down ♪

♪ All the way down ♪ Coming all down

♪ To redeem a dying world ♪ To redeem...

♪ Yes, it is

♪ ...a dying world

♪ A dying world. ♪ World!

Bless you. [ shrieks]

Oh, my goodness, there she goes again.

Wouldn't be a normal Sunday

if Faye didn't get slain in the spirit.

MAN: Uh-huh.

Oh, Mary Ann.

This boy is growing like a weed.

You must be feeding him fertilizer.

And his teachers say he's the smartest in his class.

There she is.

Hold her, Reverend.

The nerve.

Standing in the house of God

and all the while singing the devil's music.

Paulina, what's this all about?

I found this down at Robinson's store.

It's Mary Ann,

singing that R&B sex music.

Oh. Oh, uh, uh,

uh, Mary Ann. Mary Ann!

What yougot to say about all this?

I finally got my chance to become a singer.

I didn't think anything was wrong.

Reverend, the church bylaws clearly state

that no member shall partake of fornication,

PEOPLE: Amen.

Gambling.

PEOPLE: Amen.

And drinking, which is all going on down

at that juke joint where she sings.

Just take a look at this.

"Do it to me again."

My, my, my, my, my.

Now, we all know what "it" means.

I'm surprised you'd even remember what "it" is.

and besides,

what were you doing down at the record store

looking through "the devil's music"?

I got the Lord on my side with this one.

Paulina, you need to hush.

Tell her, honey.

Because this girl

ain't doing nothing to hurt nobody.

Amen, sister Sally.

Need I remind you of the church motto?

WOMAN: Tell her, sister!

"Beware of brief delight and lasting shame."

That must be them kids on that organ again.

I'm-I'm gonna go.

Stop stalling, Paul.

You know the church rules.

You're supposed to handle this. Paulina,

I'm the pastor here. Leave it to me, please?

You do your job, boy, or I'm going to go and get Mama.

Now, you know you're supposed

to call me "reverend" around here.

I'm going to handle this my way, okay?

Now, Mary Ann.

It's like this.

It's like she says.

You stop singing that secular music,

or you're going to have to leave the choir.

I'm sorry.

It's your pick.

MAN: Make up your mind, child.

WOMAN: Think about what you're doing, sister.

Wave good-bye to Aunt Sally.

♪ Heaven only knows...

♪ Oh, yeah... yeah.

WOMAN: Darrin, here's that

market research you wanted,

and I know you're real busy,

but there's something you should know.

Yes... I'm going to blow them away.

I'm a player.

I'm in the zone.

Corner office, huge window.

Take care of these credit card bills for me.

Use this one to pay off this one, okay?

Okay. And, uh, do a balance transfer

from-- oh, excuse me-- from here to here

for that one, all right,

and cover this one with that one.

So, what were you trying to say earlier?

There's a private investigator over there looking for you.

Why?

Who's trying to find me?

I'm double checking-- is Darrin Hill around?

What did he say? Did you tell him anything?

Does he know what I look like?

No. Chill.

I told him you're not in,

so he's leaving a message. Uh, tell him I'm out of town.

I did.

Good.

Time to climb the corporate ladder.

MAN: By our projections,

this plan will increase the market shares

of Lincoln & Gerald Liquors by a whopping eight percent

in as little as two years.

We were hoping to see faster growth.

We can give them double digit growth.

[ clears throat]: As I said, it is

the company position that eight percent growth should be

Now... If there's a different opinion

that'll lead to better growth, we want to hear it.

Now let me ask you this, gentlemen:

which demographic consumes the most malt liquor?

[ man clearing throat]

Go ahead, you can say it.

[ clears throat]: Black people.

There you go.

Very good.

However, I noticed in your company report

that you don't have a malt liquor division.

I noticed that, too.

I propose

a new ad campaign for a malt liquor division

that maximizes exposure in the African-American market.

Place positive images of your product

in areas where black people live.

By tapping into the buying power

of this consumer base,

you'll pass single-digit growth faster than a pro athlete

can get his criminal charges dropped.

[ laughing]

That, my friends, is not thinking outside the box.

That's realizing there is no box.

Now, those are the kind of ideas we hired this company for.

Where have you been hiding this one, Fairchild?

He's one of our junior executives.

This man needs to be on the team.

I mean, he was a junior executive... before today.

Congratulations. You've just been promoted.

Thank you, sir. Where'd you learn that kind of thinking?

Yale. Oh, I'm a Princeton man myself,

but I see we let one get away.

[ chuckling]

Okay, well, we better leave

and let them get started on this interesting idea.

Well, I guess I'll be giving you

a corner office with a view.

Thank you, sir.

Cigar?

Well, this is France's finest.

I first encountered it growing up in Monte Carlo.

Please, you're a New York boy if I ever saw one.

No, I lived there until I was 17.

Wow, I have never met a brother

who grew up in Europe before.

Actually, I was born in South America.

Where?

Homé Vidéo.

That's in Peru, right?

Venezuela. My father was in oil.

You sound so American.

Well, I went to prep school here... at Andover.

Money was no object.

Cool. Mr. Hill,

I'm afraid your credit card has been declined.

R-Right, that was, uh, not activated yet.

Okay. Uh... try this one.

[ beeps]

Darrin, Mr. Fairchild wants to see you

first thing in the morning.

Great.

Great, great, great.

As you can see, there is nothing

in my refrigerator but water,

water and wine.

This is the dining room.

We don't spend a lot of time

in here so it looks very nice and well-set.

Like this chandelier--

it's not just a normal chandelier.

It's just kind of funky and fun.

You wanted to see me, sir?

Darrin.

[ sighs]

What I have to say is very difficult.

We have a, uh... situation.

A situation that involves deception,

a lack of candor,

and an unbridled passion

to get what one wants at any cost.

I think you know what I'm referring to.

Of course, sir, company policy.

No, no, no...

well, yes, of course it is,

but in this case it's something more personal.

Darrin, you're fired.

Fired?

But why?

A representative of Lincoln & Gerald

has an annoying habit of checking up on things.

It seems that you were thrown out of Yale

when it was discovered

you faked your high school diploma from Andover.

How long did you think it would take

before your deception caught up with you?

But, sir, I've been doing such good work.

Mr. Hill,

we cannot be represented by people who tell lies.

We're in advertising.

You obtained this job under false pretenses,

and now you've caused the firm great embarrassment

in front of important clients.

I'm sorry. I have to let you go.

You're good, you're smart,

but you broke the Eleventh Commandment--

"Thou shalt not get caught."

Now...

Sir, please, you're making a big mistake.

I'm here for you.

I'm smart, I'm ambitious...

Have your things

out of here in half an hour.

I'm disappointed in you.

I expected more from a congressman's son.

Darrin Hill?

You've been a tough one to track down, Mr. Hill.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news,

but this is for you.

What is it? A subpoena? Summons?

Ploy to distract me while you repo my stuff?

Sure, those are fun, but no.

Oh, my Aunt Sally died.

"We request your presence at the funeral

and reading of the will."

Oh...

The funeral is tomorrow.

Maybe you should ask your boss

for some time off.

You know you just cut a brother, right?

Oh.

Hurts when you do that, man.

Sorry.

Come on, baby.

Make me happy.

Cash advance.

Be a winner. Be a winner.

Whoo-hoo!

Thank you, Bank of Piscataway.

[ train crossing bell dinging]

♪ Heaven only knows

♪ How much I love you, baby

♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, oh, oh, oh ♪

♪ Heaven's in your eyes...

♪ Baby, please

♪ Please don't take your love from me ♪

♪ I am yours forevermore

♪ Till eternity

♪ Silently

♪ Listen to the words I say ♪

♪ Now I'm not talking just for play ♪

♪ Listen to me, please...

I told you kids ain't got

no business playing a man's game.

Funny, that's the same thing someone told me...

oh...

two hours ago.

♪ Don't you know♪

♪ Don't you know, don't you know ♪

♪ Love is all I need

♪ 'Cause I love you and I need you ♪

♪ Yes, I want you, gotta have you ♪

♪ Ooh, yeah, yeah.

♪ Spent my whole life

♪ On the way to someplace else ♪

♪ Thinking right around the bend ♪

♪ I might find myself

♪ But the search goes on

♪ I won't quit till I get home. ♪

Hi.

Hi.

Can I get something to eat around here?

Reed?

REED: Coming right up.

Better make that to go.

I need a taxi.

Reed's only got two hands.

Wait until he fixes your dinner.

Right.

No signal.

Wait, wait, wait.

[ rap music playing]

Oh!

You must be Darrin.

Damn, word, get low.

What's up?

Darrin, I'm Lucius, man,

I'm your welcome committee.

Oh, well, how'd you know I was here?

Man, word travels fast, and Aunt Sally

always bragged she had a successful nephew from New York.

Let me get your stuff, man.

Really?

Come on.

DARRIN: Oh.

Monte Carlo didn't change, man.

It used to be a one-horse town.

What, did the horse die?

No, see, see, now you'll see, you'll see, you'll see.

We got everything to offer that a big city does.

I'm happy to have another player in town, man.

I've got tired of holding this down solo.

Hey, man, reach over there and pull this handle from the inside.

It only open from the inside.

Okay.

Appreciate that. Sure.

So you came by train. That's cool.

I was trying to meet the bus.

Going to the Kaynan Inn.

Okay, that-that Kaynan Inn,

that's straight down this road

about five minutes.

Oh. Whoa.

Your door won't open, and mine won't stay shut.

But it opens.

Oh.

Yes, it opens.

MAN [ over radio]: The next hour of programming

is brought to you by Mitchell's Funeral Home,

where the caskets are so nice, you'll wish you were dead.

Now for the news.

Like to give a shout out to Darrin Hill,

in town for Sally's funeral.

Welcome home, little Darrin.

That's news?

I'll be right back with traffic.

There is no traffic.

There isno traffic.

This is easy. I could do this job.

Oh, I wonder what the temperature is.

The temperature is 85.

Boy, you done got up there in New York and got soft,

and this ain't nothing compared to July and August.

That's when you can take an egg

and just fry it on the sidewalk.

Well, you can keep that.

After the funeral, I'm going straight back to New York City,

where we don't have eggs frying on the sidewalk.

Why? Because it's cold?

No, because it's civilization.

There's too much urine on the sidewalk.

♪ I'm not saying I don't like temptation ♪

♪ I'm just looking for the right temptation... ♪

See, boy, see, you don't know what you're missing.

Now I'm telling you, now the hotter

it get down here, the less and less

the honeys start wearing.

You know, they got to let that booty bo...

...got to let that booty breathe.

Now I'm telling you,

I know you got all your

Naomo Campbos and your Holle Berrys,

and your Teary-Eyed Banks,

all them models and junk up there,

but for the booty, you got to come down south.

We booty experts. Booty-ologists.

Booty is in the eye of the beholder.

No, booty gonna be in my hand.

Check it out now, you see,

now your Louisiana booty, it gets its renowned buoyancy

from its heavy seafood diet, while your Alabama booty,

it's characterized by its density.

You're talking about a quarter-bouncing ping.

And as for your Mississippi booty,

it's been an ongoing debate,

but consensus say that the Indian-genetic contribution

gives us its beautiful tone.

And as for your Georgia booty,

it's been known for ages that the Georgia sun

bakes and seals all the booty juices

into a slow roast.

I see I'm dealing with a connoisseur.

Oh yeah, for sure. A booty connoisseur.

Oh. Who's that?

Lilly. Please, hurry up.

That's Lilly.

Forget all of that booty stuff.

She's in a spectrum of fine as the energy

is so potent, she got a class-action suit

against her right now

for reckless endangerment, man.

Sounds like

a special kind of woman.

Well, holler at me later on tonight.

I'll hook you up with her.

This is where you're staying.

I thought they were putting me up in a hotel.

This looks like a house.

It's a boarding house.

It's the only place that has room.

The prison officer's convention is in town.

Hey, Jimmy B.

Hey, what up, Smooth L?

His grandmother owns the place.

You Darrin?

Yes.

Yo, come on, everybody is already at the funeral.

Um... uh... Get in.

♪ I see the penitentiary one day ♪

♪ Runnin' from the police, that's right ♪

♪ Mama catch me put a whuppin' to my backside ♪

♪ And even as a crack fiend... ♪

Hey, man, now, come on, look.

That's inappropriate music for this occasion.

Show some respect.

This man's auntie is about to be maggot food.

At any moment, the funeral is beginning

of Sally Walker.

Let us have a moment of silence to pay our respect.

[ snoring]

Uh, uh, sorry 'bout that.

I guess I was celebrating her life

a little late, uh, into the night.

Oh, Simon. Sarah, how are y'all doing today?

This is Aunt Sally's nephew, Darrin.

Nice to meet you.

Sorry about your aunt.

Oh, yes, we all loved Miss Sally.

Why, she was little Nicholas' godmother.

Hey, little man.

You know I'm your daddy, right?

Don't hate the player, hate the game.

I'm in the friggin' twilight zone.

[ organ playing "What A Friend We Have in Jesus"]

[ sniffles softly]

Wake up.

Wake up.

[ Paulina crying]

[ loud, anguished yell]

[ crying]: Oh, Sally!

Why'd it have to be her?

Oh, Lord, oh, Lord.

Couldn't you find someplace else to be slain in the spirit?

Grandma, get up.

She's your grandma?

Yeah. Oh, Lord, Oh, Lord.

[ loud sobbing]

They've got a lot of nerve

showing their faces in the House of God.

I'm glad my dear departed husband James

isn't here to witness this abomination.

You can't keep people from a funeral, Paulina.

Besides, they all love Sally.

They're a bunch of heathens.

[ crying]: I don't even know why she cared.

[ sobbing]

[ crying]

Move down.

[ crying]

[ organ continues playing softly]

Brothers and sisters, we are gathered here today

to pay tribute to a great woman...

Yeah!

...Sally Walker.

[ soft murmuring]

And we will now be blessed with a selection from the choir

and their lead singer,

Reverend Shirley Caesar.

[ organ plays grand intro] [ cell phone ringing]

[ organ stops playing]

[ ringing continues]

WOMAN: Oh...

[ ringing continues]

I got a signal. It's a miracle. [ chuckles]

Son, if that ain't Jesus calling, shut it off.

Sorry. Go on.

I, uh... I...

cell phone's been out of range.

Has Mr. Fairchild changed his mind?

I...

What?!

They've already started repossessing your stuff.

[ loudly]: Not my TV!

Nothing can replace Aunt Sally!

Not my TV, not my Bose home theater system...

Yeah, let it out, son, let it out.

Mm, yeah. Mm.

Keep stalling the creditors, I'll call you back.

MAN: It's all right.

MAN 2: Gonna be all right, man.

[ organ plays loud chord]

♪ The church is in mourning

♪ Mourning♪

♪ Glory to God

♪ The church is in mourning

♪ Mourning♪

♪ Oh, yes, oh, yeah, yeah, oh

♪ The church is in

♪ Mourning

♪ Mourning♪

♪ Good God almighty

♪ Another soldier

[ people shouting in response] ♪ A true born soldier

♪ Has gone...

♪ Gone home

♪ Hallelujah!

♪ Well, we're here today

♪ For the home-going

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah! ♪ And the celebration of a wonderful woman ♪

♪ Aunt Sally

♪ Everybody loved Aunt Sally

♪ She took the young people

♪ And carried them under her wings ♪

♪ And she cared for the elderly ♪

[ shouting in response] ♪ I just want to say, listen

♪ We might not have this chance ♪

♪ Sleep on, Aunt Sally

♪ Sleep on, Aunt Sally

♪ And take your rest

♪ We loved you, Aunt Sally

♪ But God loves you best

[ shouting continues]

♪ If you see my mother there

♪ Tell my mama I'm on my way

♪ I'm on my way

[ organ music and shouting continue]

♪ Our hearts are in mourning

♪ Mourning♪

♪ Glory to God

♪ Yes, to lift our hearts in mourning ♪

♪ Mourning♪

♪ Good God almighty

♪ Good God almighty

♪ Yes, to lift our hearts in mourning ♪

♪ Soldier♪

♪ Another soldier

♪ A true born soldier

♪ A Holy Ghost soldier

♪ A heaven-bound soldier

♪ Has...

♪ Gone♪

♪ Gone, gone

♪ Gone

♪ Gone on home

♪ Gone home♪

♪ Hallelujah!

♪ Hallelujah!

♪ Hallelujah!

♪ Hallelujah!

♪ Hallelujah!

♪ Hallelujah!

♪ Hallelujah!

♪ Yeah...

Hallelujah!

♪ Oh, oh, yeah, yeah...

[ thunder rumbling]

Let the church say amen.

CONGREGATION: Amen!

Let the church say amen.

CONGREGATION: Amen!

Yes, Lord... Amen.

WOMAN: Yes, Lord!

Yes, yes, yes. Well, well, well.

At this time,

we'd like to give

some of Sally's family and loved ones

an opportunity to come up here

and say how much she meant to them.

And it's only fitting to start with the person

that came the farthest way to be here.

That's her great-nephew, Darrin.

All right, Darrin, all right.

PAUL: Oh, yeah, brother Darrin.

Yes, my brother.

Come on.

Oh, yeah. Amen.

[ thunder rumbling]

Hi.

[ congregation responds]

Many of you don't remember me.

The one that had the phone.

Yeah. But before that,

I was Aunt Sally's favorite nephew.

Hmm!

I thought we'd see forever,

but forever's gone away.

And it's so hard to say good-bye

to yesterday.

Boyz II Men.

I got one amen. can I get another?

ALL: Amen.

My mom passed away a few years ago

in a hit-and-run accident

when I was still a teenager,

and it's the talks I had with her

I cherish more than anything.

I remember her telling me...

that it was Aunt Sally who took us in

when I was just a baby, after my father died in Vietnam.

[ sighing]

I'll always love her for that.

Your mama dead, too?

He just said it.

Young man,

I'm so glad that you came for your aunt's funeral.

Yeah.

She was always telling us

how well you were doing up in New York.

With your important job.

[ chuckling]

What was it?

What was what?

Your job.

It's funny, she never mentioned what it was.

Boy, I haven't seen you

since you were knee-high to a grasshopper.

Reverend, um, have you seen this very pretty lady--

I think her name is Lilly?

She ain't no lady.

Oh, now, Mother Cooley.

All sinners are welcome in the house of the Lord.

Sinner? She's a sinner?

What kind of sinner?

Unrepentant.

Really.

SHIRLEY: Well, Darrin, I just come

to offer you my condolences and to just let you know

that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

You got to understand that she's in

a far better place, okay?

Yes, ma'am.

You know, I got to tell you,

you and that choir-- boy, you're pretty good.

Prettygood? Huh.

And to my neighbor and best friend, Faye,

I leave all my favorite recipes.

Thank you, Sally.

Now, Faye, depending

on what I die from,

you might want to divide the Crisco measurements by half.

Don't change that Chicken Supreme.

[ chuckling]

And to Paulina Pritchett,

I leave my collection of church hats

that she always complimented me on.

She should really enjoy wearing them,

unless, of course, she was lying to me all those years

but criticizing my taste behind my back.

I'll wear them every Sunday.

And now, for my only surviving relative,

my great-nephew, Darrin.

To Darrin, I leave the box

containing the letters his mother sent me

after they left Monte Carlo.

I also pass on to him

the charge of returning to Monte Carlo

to continue the family tradition

of... directing the Beulah Baptist Church Choir.

No! No.

I-It's her dying wish.

I was next in line

to get the choir.

I been waiting years for Sally to die.

God rest her soul.

Listen, lady, you can have it.

I'm not staying, let alone leading some small-town choir.

PAULINA: Good.

O-On the condition that Darrin gets the choir accepted

into the annual Gospel Explosion in Columbus,

and performs there, I also leave him

my entire stock in Georgia Telecom,

currently worth $150,000.

[ people murmuring]

I was just kidding about that small-town stuff.

And the church bus.

How much that worth?

No way! Mm-mmm!

I don't care what Sally's dying wish was.

We all know she was losing it these last few years.

Besides, Paul,

it's your church, and you have final say

over who leads the choir.

It's in the bylaws.

Well, I guess that would seem kind of odd

to have someone with no musical experience

leading the choir.

No, no, I have plenty of musical experience.

Now, you all don't know this,

and I didn't tell anyone, but, um...

I'm a music producer.

Oh.

Yeah, that's what I do for a living.

Ooh, looks like Sally might have been onto something.

W-W-W-What kind of producing have you done?

Well, I've worked with, uh... P. Diddy.

Dre, Dark Child-- all of them.

Who that? That's the gangsta stuff

that's polluting my grandson's mind.

I was the one that put an end

to that whole East Coast versus West Coast thing.

Yeah, I just sat them all down and made them watch Roots.

I think I read about that.

So, what is this Gospel Explosion?

Oh, it's the annual event

where choirs from all over the southeast

come to Columbus, Georgia,

to compete for the best gospel performance

and a $10,000 cash prize.

[ chuckling]

Yeah, a prize that could pay

for some much-needed church repairs...

[ chuckling]

...if a certain musical producer

would bring it home, yes?

Paul Lewis, have you lost your natural mind?

I wish Mama was alive

to see how you turn on family like this.

Sally was as close to family as anybody can get,

and I intend on honoring her dying wish.

Now, Darrin, the choir is yours.

You have six weeks

until the Gospel Explosion.

Whatever you need,

we're at your disposal.

But you're going to have to talk

to the church treasurer about logistics.

Let me guess.

You're the treasurer.

Yes. Everything you need is at my disposal.

DARRIN: Great.

Take it easy.

Oh, oh, uh, Paulina,

can I get a ride back to my room?

[ squishing]

Oh, Darrin.

Since you're going to be here

for longer than I thought,

let me give you the extended stay rates.

Great.

There's an extra charge

of $1.50 for every bar of soap you use,

from now on, $2.00

for any clean towel you require,

and $1.00 a minute for all calls made.

You get one free 9-1-1 call.

I suggest you use it wisely.

Air conditioning?

You're charging me for air conditioning?

It gets 100 degrees at night.

What is that?

It's a Monte Cristo.

It's a cigar.

Obviously.

Cuban?

Of course.

Cool.

Hey!

That-That cost me $20.

This is a no-smoking house.

SIMON: It's a no-smoking,

no drinking, no fornicating, no point of living at all house.

[ hip-hop music plays]

DARRIN: Why are we here?

You'll see.

A little Southern delight.

[ horn honking]

Now the honeys in here, they make them girls in Atlanta

look like somebody hit them in the face with a sack of nickels.

And I don't mean that in a sexy way.

There she is.

You're on your own.

I see somebody that owes me some money.

Hey man, don't run away from me.

Man, I told you I was going to get...

Ooh, hi, sexy. Hey, baby.

[ music starts softly]

♪ Oh...

♪ You give me fever...

♪ Fever... oh...

[ tempo picks up]

♪ Oh...

♪ You give me fever

♪ Fever in the morning

♪ Fever when it's late at night ♪

♪ You give me fever

♪ Fever♪

♪ Fever when you kiss me

♪ Fever when you hold me tight ♪

♪ You give me fever

♪ Fever♪

♪ Fever when you're with me

♪ Fever when you love...

♪ He's so sweet

♪ He's so good to me

♪ He's so intelligent

♪ He's so confident

♪ Baby, so damn sexy

♪ Baby, put the fever on me

♪ Give me a fever... oh...

[ music continues]

♪ Never know how much I love you ♪

♪ Never know how much I care ♪

♪ When you put your arms around me ♪

♪ I get the fever that's so hard to bear ♪

♪ You give me fever

♪ Fever♪

♪ When you kiss me

♪ And fever when you hold me tight ♪

♪ You give me fever

♪ Fever♪

♪ In the morning

♪ And fever all through the night ♪

♪ Baby's so damn sexy

♪ But baby put the fever on me, uh-uh ♪

♪ Baby knows just what to do

♪ Got me boiling past 102

♪ Give me a fever

♪ Ooh...♪

♪ Everybody's got a fever

♪ That is something you all know ♪

♪ Fever isn't such a new thing

♪ Fever started long ago

♪ Romeo loved Juliet

♪ And Juliet felt the same

♪ When he puts his arms around her ♪

♪ He said, "Julie, baby, you're my flame" ♪

♪ Give me fever

♪ When we kisseth

♪ Fever with a flame in you

♪ Fever... I'm on fire

♪ Fever, yeah, I burn and soothe ♪

♪ Now that you listened to my story ♪

♪ Here's a point that I have made ♪

♪ Chicks were born to give you fever ♪

♪ Being Fahrenheit or Centigrade ♪

♪ They give you fever

♪ When you kiss them

♪ And fever if you live and learn ♪

♪ Fever, until you sizzle

♪ What a lovely way to burn

♪ What a lovely way to burn ♪

♪ What a lovely way to burn

♪ What a lovely way to burn...

♪ What a lovely way to burn

♪ What a lovely way to...

♪ Burn...

♪ Fever.

[ applause]

Whoo!

WOMAN: Tea with honey.

Here you go, Lilly.

Thank you.

You really know how to connect with your audience.

That was hot.

It's a part of my act.

I pick out the guy who's drooling the most,

and I make him sweat.

[ laughs]

Well, it worked.

Can I buy you a real drink?

I'm Darrin.

You really don't remember me?

ThatLilly?

You kept asking me to be your girlfriend.

And you kept saying no.

Yeah, I was determined to be Mrs. Michael Jackson.

[ laughs]

And how's that going?

Ah, turns out I'm not his type.

I can't believe you remember that stuff.

I left town when you were what, five?

Man, we heard about you all the time.

Every week in choir rehearsal, Sally would tell

us poor country folk how well you

and your mama were doing in slick city.

She was very special to all of us.

Yeah.

When I talked to her on the phone,

just before she passed,

she kept saying that she wanted me to come back

and be with her friends, like you.

You spoke with Sally that day?

Oh, yeah.

She went on and on.

I suppose she hung up the phone and, uh...

And her dying wish was for us to hook up?

God love her.

Sally was in a coma two weeks before she died.

That's right.

It was...

must have been a couple of weeks ago...

Right.

Anyway, I'm back

amongst all you wonderful people

who need consoling as much as I do.

How long are you in town?

Just tonight.

Hey, how about being my girlfriend,

for old times' sake?

I've got a man.

Oh.

Dean is big and strong

and has a real big jealous streak.

Sometimes he watches from the back.

Excuse me, I got a show to do.

Uh, okay.

Hey, knock 'em dead.

Your act is terrific.

Yours needs a lot of work.

I know I missed your call, Rosa,

but this is the only place I get a signal.

More charges came in, more late fees.

You're up to 44 grand now.

Okay, listen, I just came into some money, all right?

And I'll be able to take care of everything in just a few weeks.

Just, uh, make sure they don't know where to find me.

I'll do my best.

You're a doll.

Kick ass.

[ thunder rumbles]

Sorry.

Okay, when everyone gets here,

we'll begin rehearsals.

I was thinking we should just

stick to that number you did at the funeral.

Should be good enough to get into any gospel competition.

That was Shirley Caesar, fool.

She hasn't gone to this church for years,

but since she loved Sally,

we let her and her choir sing at the funeral.

She's gone?

She's gone.

Well, where's our choir?

You're looking at it.

This is it?

Six measly people.

Um, I'm just here 'cause my wife's family's in town.

They're staying at my house.

Too late.

You're in the choir now.

Well, actually there are two or three others.

Yeah, but they never show up.

Man, this is busted.

Why do I have to be here?

When are you going to get us our first record contract?

I want to hurry up and get a Benz.

Hey, I didn't know we were going to be famous.

You know what?

Definitely count me in now.

Um... let's do, uh... "Amazing Grace."

[ organ plays, water drips]

♪ Amaze...

♪ Maze...

♪ Amaze...

♪ Ah-amaze...

♪ ...zing grace

♪ How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me.

DARRIN: Stop, stop, stop.

Stop, please.

Okay, okay, okay, let's not panic.

Um...

I'm open to suggestion.

Hey, when you get us that record deal,

and they do one of those VH1 Behind the Musicson us,

I think it's best if we don't talk about

me trying to leave the group.

You know?

They'll just make it look ugly.

[ singing]

♪ Everything I do is just for you ♪

♪ Counting every second till we rendezvous ♪

♪ You want to rendezvous ♪

♪ Ah, ah, yeah, yeah, yeah

♪ Oh, baby, oh, baby

♪ Oh, and I want to give it to you, baby ♪

♪ Give it to me, baby

♪ I want to give it to you

♪ Oh, give it to me, baby

♪ Hey...

[ soulful scatting]

♪ 'Cause everything I do is just for you♪

♪ 'Cause everything I do is just for you♪

♪ All for you

♪ Come on, give me your love.

[ applause]

Uh, hello, there.

I just had to see you again.

Aren't you supposed to be gone?

Yes, but, uh, I was feeling bad

about our little misunderstanding last night.

No misunderstanding,

just using Aunt Sally's memory to hit on me.

That's low. Come on.

Can I at least buy you a drink?

Is that Dean?

[ chuckling]: No.

Okay, you can buy me a drink.

Oh, I'm sure you heard

about Aunt Sally's will. No.

It seems she wants me

to take care of the choir down at Beulah.

Why did she put you in charge of it?

I'm sorry, that came out wrong.

Oh, no, no, no.

It's okay, it was a shock to me, too.

Yeah, it's a big job.

That's why I've cleared my schedule for the next six weeks,

put some business deals on hold,

so that I can focus on getting the choir

into the Gospel Explosion.

No.

I been there and done that.

Look, if it's Paulina you're worried about,

I'll take care of Paulina.

[ chuckling]: I'd love to see that one.

I'm the choir director now.

Yeah, for six weeks.

Listen, if she starts getting all Christian on you...

Christian? Yeah.

She is not a Christian.

My mama said hollering in the church

don't make you any more of a Christian

than standing in the garage makes you a Cadillac.

No, man, I can't let those hypocrites

look down their noses at me just because I...

Sing sexy songs for a living.

Exactly.

And just because I...

Dress like that.

What's wrong with the way I dress?

Oh, no, no, I'm just finishing your sentence.

I was going to say because I...

Cheat on your boyfriend

with hot choir directors from New York City?

Stop...

Finishing your sentences? Look.

I know your kind.

You came here last night 'cause you wanted something.

You came back again tonight

'cause you want something else,

and tomorrow you're going to want something else.

I can smell when a man is trying to use me,

and mister, you stink.

Okay, is that how you feel about it?

Fine.

This town is full of singers.

I don't need you anyway.

And remember, everybody, Handy's Funeral Home

offers limousines for all occasions.

Why not get in one while you're still living?

Well, now that we done paid the bills...

Ladies and gentleman,

sitting directly across from me,

I have Mr. Darrin Hill all the way from New York City.

[ taped applause and cheering]

So Darrin,

tell the good people of Monte Carlo

what brings you down here with us?

I'm responsible for rebuilding the choir

down at Beulah Baptist Church.

In fact, I'm holding auditions tomorrow morning,

and anyone with any musical

ability can come by.

As long as they are, as we say at Beulah,

fully committed to God's work.

♪ Amazing Grace

♪ How sweet the sound

[ off-key]: ♪ That saved a wretch like me.

Whoa!

♪ Forgiving my sins

♪ Baptized in the water

♪ Freed by the Holy Ghost

♪ Washed in the blood of the lamb ♪

♪ Forgiving my sins

♪ Baptized in the water

♪ Freed by the Holy Ghost

♪ Washed in the blood of the lamb ♪

♪ God's going to move this place ♪

♪ God's going to move this place ♪

♪ God's going to turn the world upside down ♪

Auditions for the Beulah Baptist Church Choir are still open.

Applicants need not be fully committed to God's work,

but shouldn't be against it.

[ whistling "Yankee Doodle"]

[ playing kazoo]

[ playing mouth harp]

♪ I'm the hottest shit in New York since Air Force Ones ♪

♪ And from the borough that brought you Chris and Pun ♪

♪ Yeah, a lot of cats rhyme, but not like some ♪

♪ I make it hard, like breathing with a slug in your lung ♪

♪ Blow, blow, now you got to deal with me ♪

♪ Isn't she lovely?

♪ Isn't she wonderful?

♪ Isn't she precious?

♪ Just one minute old

You got to be kidding me!

♪ I never thought true love would bring ♪

♪ One that's as lovely as she

♪ But isn't she lovely?

♪ Made from love.

[ scatting]

News update.

Auditions for the Beulah Baptist Church Choir,

atheists may now apply.

[ honks "Shave and a Haircut"]

Oh, thanks for coming, Lucius.

No problem. Where to?

Oh, I just need to print up some more fliers.

Paulina won't let me use Jimmy B's printer anymore.

She says it's running up her light bill.

Oh, well, you know old folks in the south

believe some crazy stuff.

Tell me about it.

When it's storming,

she doesn't even use the electricity.

You don't play with God.

Right.

You don't sing, do you, Lucius?

Do I sing? Y-Yeah.

They say I sound like a black Al Jarreau.

[ scat singing]

Great, you're in the choir.

Oh, whoa, wait a minute. What'd you say?

Pump your brakes.

I'm not planning on joining the church

until I have sown my wild oats.

Then I'm going to get me a young virgin and settle down.

Say no more.

Besides...

word's out.

Paulina's bad enough, you done pissed her off.

Don't nobody want to be a part

of that mix made in hell.

Now the only way I can join is...

is if... is if you paying.

How about the prize money? 50/50?

Done deal, 50/50.

Hello, are you Joseph?

Yeah.

Can I line you up, son?

Actually I just came by to post some fliers

for my choir auditions, if that's okay.

Sure.

Seeing how you're new in these parts,

it's going to be kind of hard for you

to attract people.

Most folks around here,

they don't trust an outsider.

It was years before I told anyone

I'm not from Mississippi.

I've got a guy here

who needs his ears lowered.

Hey, Lilly.

Dean, my man.

Come on, I'll get the seat.

That's Dean?

He's big, strong and jealous,

so watch yourself.

So I see you done met

the big-time music producer from New York, huh?

Music producer?

Lilly has the best

voice in town.

I know.

You don't have to wait with me.

No one else's mom waits for them.

He'll be fine.

Okay, I'm going to be next door, all right?

Dean, don't talk to strangers.

MAN: Yo, big man.

You want us to sing you a song like we did last time?

DEAN: Yes, please.

It'll cost you.

I'll give you a thousand money.

Deal.

[ rhythmic clipping]

[ rhythmic buzzing]

[ rhythmic tapping]

♪ Ooh...

♪ When I was a little boy

♪ When I was just a boy♪

♪ And the devil would call my name ♪

♪ When I was just a boy♪

♪ I'd say "Now who do,

♪ Who do you think you're fooling?" ♪

♪ When I was just a boy♪ ♪ I'm a consecrated boy

♪ When I was just a boy♪

♪ I'm a singer in a Sunday choir ♪

♪ Oh, my mama loves me

♪ She loves me

♪ She get down on her knees and hug me ♪

♪ Oh, she loves me like a rock ♪

[ harmonica plays]

♪ She rocks me like the rock of ages ♪

♪ And loves me

♪ She love me, love me, love me, love me ♪

♪ When I was grown to be a man ♪

♪ Grown to be a man♪

♪ And the devil would call my name ♪

♪ Grown to be a man♪

♪ I'd say "Now who do,

♪ Who do you think you're fooling?" ♪

♪ Grown to be a man♪ ♪ I'm a consummated man

♪ Grown to be a man♪

♪ I can snatch a little purity ♪

♪ Oh, my mama loves me, she loves me ♪

♪ She get down on her knees and hug me ♪

♪ Like she loves me like a rock. ♪

You know, at first I was afraid you'd follow me here,

but I actually feel a lot safer

knowing you're not in the same room with my son.

And to answer your next question, no...

You're not married.

Don't finish my sentences.

That's why you're a sinner.

Stay far away from me.

No, no...

No, I'm saying, that's no reason to treat you badly.

I mean, how dare they?

It's not your fault.

Well, it's 50% your fault

because it takes two people to...

Well, you know what I mean.

No.

I'm saying it's a pity

that you don't have a complete family,

but it's still no reason...

Oh, don't talk to me about family,

Mr. Didn't Call Aunt Sally For 20 Years.

Hi. Hi.

I'm sorry.

I'm starting to see how tough things are for you.

Boo-hoo for the poor, black mother

stuck in her hometown without a man.

Whatever shall I do?

I didn't mean it that way.

[ beeping]

Excuse me, Lilly, I'm sorry,

but your card is maxed out again.

I forgot to put my paycheck in.

Thank you.

Excuse me. Hmm-mm.

[ whispering]: Hey, try this one.

Sorry, Dr. Hill,

yours is declined, too.

Dr. Hill? You a doctor?

No, that's just my music name.

You know, like Dr. John, Dr. Dre.

Try this one.

Well, that's cleared.

Of course.

Sign here.

Thank you.

That was really nice.

You didn't have to do that.

That's what I'm saying, I'm a nice guy.

I don't know what the problem is.

I usually get along better with beautiful women.

Okay, I'll...

I'll give you a check tomorrow, first thing.

Oh, um, cash.

Cash.

Reverend.

Oh... Darrin.

Thanks for meeting me here.

Uh, how's it going with the choir?

Well, I'm still having trouble recruiting new members.

Son, it's at times like these

I suggest listening to God's voice.

Sorry, Rev, I'm not into the spooky stuff.

Oh, just open it up.

And these people can sing?

Oh, yes.

Please don't tell my sister.

Hello, everyone.

I'd like you to welcome

the new members of our choir.

So when is this competition?

In a few weeks.

And our new organist.

You touch my keyboard

and I kick your drunk 'bama ass.

Oh, oh, wait, Homer.

Now, if we stand any chance

of getting into the Gospel Explosion,

we could use all the help we can get.

Shoot.

Bringing all these drunks

up into the church with hats on

and drunks and everything.

Okay, everyone, please.

Okay, good.

Good. Uh... I'd like to...

I'd like to try a new song.

Um... uh...

Tasha?

Can you, uh, get rid of the gum, please?

Sure.

[ gasps]

Okay.

That was nasty.

Uh... "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot."

[ plays traditional chord]

Oh, ah, uh, Homer, please.

Scooter.

[ plays jazzy intro]

♪ Swing low

♪ Sweet chariot

♪ Comin' for to carry me home... ♪

Wait-wait-wait, wait, wait, stop, stop.

Stop, wait, um... this is not working.

Um...

You need to pick a lead singer.

You'd know that if you knew what you were doing.

Oh, oh, could-could I maybe try?

Bessie...

would you, uh, like to try?

No.

My dear departed husband James said

that when I sing, it made him think of heaven.

Probably meant he wanted to blow his brains out.

Paulina,

you've sung lead

before? I have,

and it gave me great joy.

Oh, good. Then it'll hurt that much more

when I find someone else.

Be careful, Dean, baby, don't hurt yourself.

Oh, let the boy be.

He's already wearing more protection

then they gave me when I fought in the war.

Oh!

You're the pain in the butt from the barbershop.

He must have heard that somewhere.

Hi, there, young man.

I'm Lilly's grandfather.

Hello, sir.

I've been waiting for a nice, strong young man

to come and whisk Lilly away.

Somebody did that already, remember?

She shouldn't be wasting the next 25 years of her life

taking care of no old man.

No, she should go off

and have a life of her own.

Cool!

Sammy Sosa.

What do you say?

He said cool.

Dean?

Thank you.

Look, Granddaddy.

I got Sammy Sosa. Oh, okay.

So have you changed your mind about the choir?

Why should I, 'cause you gave Dean a toy?

No. Yes?

Why is this so important to you?

Because it's what my Aunt Sally wanted me to do.

Every time I pack my bags to leave,

I get that image of her helping my Mom out

when I was little...

and because it was her last wish

to get into the Explosion,

and because... And because you're getting $150,000.

I thought I'd finish your sentence for you.

That is the truth, right?

Yeah. Yes.

Thanks for being honest,

but I can't.

You mean, I just told the truth for nothing?

Thank you for the loan yesterday.

I know you want cash.

You know, this truth stuff is highly overrated.

I don't care who started it.

You both should be ashamed.

Okay, let's try it once more from the top.

Hey. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I'm not doing this for you.

The truth is I'm doing this for Sally.

Well, thank you anyway.

Choir, I'd like you to meet our new soloist, Lilly.

What's your last name? Tramp.

I knew this would happen.

No-no-no, wait, wait, wait, please, please.

Let me handle this. Please.

Have you forgotten that Jesus loved Mary Magdalene?

She was a ho.

"Let him who is without sin

cast the first stone."

Thank you for handling it.

No, no, no, no, no, I-I don't mean it.

I'm just saying it for effect. Please.

[ sighs]

It is your duty

to help fallen women.

I'm willing to help.

Hi. I agree. It's about time

we get some young Baptist booty up in this choir.

Ask her how come she has to keep so many husbands

away from their homes down at that old sin hole she be working at.

DARRIN: Would Aunt Sally have been this harsh?

No, Sally would've wanted Lilly to stay in the choir...

WOMAN: Amen. unlike some people.

Amen again. MAN: That's right.

If she was a respectable woman,

she would have a respectable job.

The last thing we need is another loose woman

up in the choir stand.

Now she should just go on home, take care

of that little bastard baby... Leave my son out of this.

Talk to her. Tell her.

Dean is a gift from God.

So is snow and rain,

but we still have to wear our rubbers.

You know what Sally told me once?

She said,

"When life makes you have to put up

"with mean and hateful people,

"just think of them as sandpaper.

"They may scratch you, rub you the wrong way,

"but eventually... you end up smooth and polished,

"and the sandpaper--

it's just going to be worn out and ugly."

Lilly, you don't need my help.

Now if I could get you all to sing as well as you fight,

you'd be the baddest choir in all of Georgia.

Now, Lilly is a member

of this choir like everyone else.

If you don't like it, well...

you can just leave.

Oh, well that's my cue.

Y'all coming?

Uh, Paulina, I thought you were leaving.

The choir, yes, but I'll stay in this church

as long as I want.

I'm the treasurer.

Fine. Fine. Then we'll rehearse with Lilly as our lead.

Watch it, bro. Hey!

Get down. That's mine. Right there.

Aw, man!

The Lord is good.

[ all shouting over one another]

The Lord bless you.

Mr. Clean!

liked church. There's a hell of a lot more action

than in the barbershop.

Okay.

Ready?

Do I come in on the upbeat or the downbeat?

Suit yourself. You're the pro.

Try the downbeat, honey.

I usually let the Neptunes program on my upbeat, so...

Let's try it again

from the top.

Aren't you going to arrange us

for the performance?

Right, right. Lilly, Lilly, please, up.

Ladies, all three, up.

Okay, Tasha,

Tasha, please, down...

and, uh... oh, please, yes, Bessie,

Alma and Miss Stringer.

Yeah, cute. Yes, yes, there you go.

Okay. Young and foxy in the front

and weird and funky in the back...

but we love you.

All right. Ready?

From the top.

♪ I'm... going...

♪ Home!

Great! Yee-haw!

With a little more work,

I think we've got a real shot at the Explosion.

And after that, maybe even a record deal.

Then we'll tour on our own bus with a clean bathroom.

A tour? Girl, like I'm going to leave my granddaddy behind

by himself? Uh-uh.

Well, thankfully all my family's dead.

[ solitary clapping]

That wasn't half bad.

It saddens me that the deadline

for entering the Gospel Explosion has passed.

What?

"All audition tapes are to be submitted

to audition judge Luther Washington by...

yesterday afternoon.

She had something to do with this.

I mean, you know, she...

Why didn't you say something?

You're the director now; deadlines are your problem.

It's been posted for weeks.

Where?

On the back

of the ladies' room door.

I sure as heck never saw it,

and I use that door every day.

You need to check the girl's bathroom more often.

You mean we did all this work

for nothing? Yeah.

And my best friend Keno taught me how to do

the African Boot Dance.

[ shouts]

Heck, I even stopped drinking.

Uh, I know that's a good thing,

I-I'm just saying... Wait, wait, wait, listen, hey,

listen, everybody.

Just go home and don't worry.

Taking care of problems is my specialty.

I'll be back in a couple of weeks,

and if I don't get a job, I'm a dead man.

Yeah, I used my credit card down here to fix a bus. Why?

They traced it. It was reported to a credit bureau in Atlanta.

Well, what does that mean?

Felony, interstate fraud.

Just lay low, and stay away from law enforcement.

Mr. Washington will see you now.

Mr. Hill.

Lucius.

As a Christian man, I do believe in mercy,

but as a prison warden,

I'm a stickler for the rules.

See, without rules,

society breaks down.

Sorry.

Listen...

Let me handle this.

Did I say you can talk?

Look... Did I open my mouth

and say you could talk?

But I-I-I... I took assertive tenderness.

I took assertiveness training.

Look, Washington,

we're giving you an opportunity

to be a part of the Belie Baptist...

The Beulah Baptist Gospel Choir business.

Me, an opportunity?

Now, you need BBGC more

than BBGC needs you.

We're selling, not buying.

We're not selling.

We're... we are...

We're buying, not selling.

Now, you got 30 seconds to m-make an offer,

or it's, you know?

We-we...

Let me think about it. No.

Oh, come on. Please, man.

We'll pay you. Listen, listen.

Sir, you don't understand

the challenges my choir and I have faced.

Please, just hear us sing.

We can be ready in a half hour.

No.

And I'm putting my foot down.

It's a big "N" and a little "o."

[ knocking at door]

Sir, the entertainment for today canceled.

And you know what happened last time.

You said a half an hour?

Will you let us into the Explosion?

Only if you guys can pass the mustard with my prisoners.

Mustard's passed.

We'll blow them away.

Look, we got to do it,

or we won't get into the Explosion. Darrin, Darrin.

Darrin, Darrin. Just relax.

They all look so scary.

[ buzz of conversation]

Look, we're here now, so I'm going to sing it.

What? Huh?

What? Huh?

♪ Swing low...

Join in, join in, join in, join in!

♪ Sweet chariot MAN: Shut up, old man!

MAN: Go home!

[ audience booing]

♪ Coming for to carry me home [ chorus sings in harmony]

♪ Swing low, sweet chariot

♪ Coming for to carry me home... ♪

♪ Swing low...

[ men whistling]

♪ Sweet chariot

MAN: That's better.

MAN: Hey, now. ♪ Coming for

[ chorus sings notes in harmony]

♪ To carry me home

♪ Swing low

♪ Sweet, sweet, sweet chariot, chariot ♪

♪ Coming for to carry me home

♪ Yeah, yeah

♪ Swing down chariots, won't you let me ride? ♪

♪ Oh, swing ♪ Swing down chariots♪

♪ Stop and let me ride

♪ Oh, rock me, Lord, rock me, Lord ♪

♪ Calm and easy♪

♪ I got a home

♪ I got a home on the other side ♪

Dance, everybody, dance.

♪ Six white horses standin' side by side ♪

♪ Oh, sing ♪ Six white horses prancing♪

♪ Sing ♪ Side by side♪

♪ Oh, rock me, Lord, rock me, Lord♪

♪ Rock me, rock me

♪ Calm and easy♪

♪ I got a home...

♪ I got home on the other side♪

♪ Swing low, swing low

♪ Swing low, swing low, and let me ride ♪

♪ Why don't you let me ride?

♪ Why don't you let me ride? ♪

♪ Ride, ride, ride, ride♪

♪ Oh why don't you let me ride? ♪

♪ Let me ride ♪ Why don't you let me ride?♪

♪ Let me ride

♪ Ride, ride, ride, ride♪

♪ Swing down chariots, won't you let me ride? ♪

♪ Oh, swing ♪ Swing down chariots♪

♪ Stop and let me ride

♪ Oh, rock me, rock me, Lord

♪ Calm and easy♪

♪ I got a home on the other side♪

♪ I got a home ♪ I got a home♪

♪ You got a home

♪ I got a home♪

♪ We got a home

♪ I got a home♪

♪ I got a home ♪ I got a home♪

♪ I got a home

♪ You got a home

♪ I got a home♪

♪ We goin' home

♪ I got a home♪

♪ Goin' home ♪ I got a home♪

♪ Yes, Lord ♪ I got a home♪

♪ Sweet Lord

♪ I got a home♪

♪ Take me home

♪ I got a home♪

♪ Take me home, Lord

♪ I'm going home.

[ applause and cheering, tambourine plays]

[ whistling, applause and cheering continue]

So look here, I guess that, uh,

your choir's in the Gospel Explosion.

Don't let anyone know I gave you any slack.

I have a reputation

as a hard ass in the choir community.

Do you think we have a shot at winning?

You made it through the audition, but...

I got prisoners that can sing better than your choir.

Really?

Single file now.

Stay in line.

Guns in church.

The abomination that causes desolation.

Guns ain't allowed?

Somebody should have told me.

Hey, big guy,

what's your name?

[ high-pitched voice]: My name is Johnson.

[ laughing]

What are you in for?

Beating down somebody

for making fun of my high voice.

Okay, so let's take, uh...

Let's take it from the top, shall we?

Uh, our felons first.

Up. Up, please.

[ chuckles]

Up.

Okay.

Um...

[ plays piano]

[ plays notes off-key]

[ plays chord]

♪ Gonna lay down my burdens...

Um, Mr. Briggs,

is there a problem?

It's one thing for the state to force us

to make license plates, or work in chain gangs,

but to make us sing in a choir?

That's cruel and unusual punishment.

Mr. Johnson?

I used to be in a group,

and when we used to sing, uh, "Down By the Riverside"--

there's a part of the song where I used to

♪ Wail.

You know, right at the end

with the sword and shield part.

People really liked that.

Would you like me to do that for you?

All right.

What group did you sing with?

It doesn't matter.

They're dead now.

Right.

Okay, um...

Great.

And now, news time.

The Beulah Baptist Church Choir

now includes some talented inmates

from our state prison system.

This could turn out

to be the breakout choir of the year.

[ laughs]

[ laugh track plays]

[ singing in harmony]: ♪ Ooh, ooh-ooh♪

♪ I'm gonna lay down my burdens, child ♪

♪ Down by the riverside♪

♪ Yeah, down

♪ Down by the riverside♪

♪ Down

♪ Down by the riverside♪

♪ Say, I'm... ♪ Ee-oop♪

♪ I'm gonna lay down my burdens ♪

♪ Down by...

♪ Down by the riverside♪

♪ Say, I ain't

♪ Study war♪

♪ No, no, no, no ♪ No more♪

♪ Study war no more...♪

♪ No more

♪ Say, I'm going down to the river ♪

♪ Gonna put my foot in

♪ Gonna let it go up to my knees ♪

♪ Gonna let it go down to my thigh ♪

♪ And I ain't gonna study war no more ♪

♪ No

♪ Study war no more♪

♪ No ♪ Study war no more♪

♪ I, I, I, I, I

♪ Study war no more...♪

[ Johnson sings high note]

♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

♪ All that street-corner barbershop harmony ♪

♪ That's cool, right?

♪ We got some new hip-hop in Monte Carlo, Georgia ♪

♪ for y'all tonight-- yo, Briggs ♪

♪ I'm sick of packin' all these nines ♪

♪ Slingin' dimes and smokin' all the marijuana ♪

♪ Chillin' with pretty mamas from Havana in the Bahamas ♪

♪ Most demons tryin' to see me hot, like I'm in the sauna ♪

♪ And I'm just tryin' to get you loose, kinda like Madonna ♪

♪ Call up everybody I know, tell 'em it's time to go ♪

♪ Me and Bee-Z in the 6-4 sittin' real low ♪

♪ Got the roll to the riverside, put that liquor to the side ♪

♪ Ain't no need for getting high, stay alive, in touch ♪

♪ Helps you die, that cocaine, get me trippin', y'all ♪

♪ Never been lickin' that, none of my burdens ♪

♪ Because I don't wanna be left and burnin' ♪

♪ Flirtin' with death

♪ And they promise my last breath ♪

♪ Dressed in prison blues

♪ Holy Spirit got me under arrest ♪

♪ I used to be a thug, sold drugs ♪

♪ Might have stalked you

♪ Stepped up in the church, got converted at the altar ♪

♪ And I fought 'ya

♪ Fell back and he caught you

♪ Out tryin' to floss, better live what he taught you ♪

♪ Goin' down

♪ We goin' down to the river

♪ Take it to the river

♪ Goin' down, baby

♪ Yo, yo

♪ Down to the river

♪ Take it to the river

♪ And lay down

♪ Haulin' my glocks and automatics ♪

♪ I'm charismatic, like crack addicts ♪

♪ You wreak havoc like road ragers in bad traffic ♪

♪ It gets drastic, but He's fantastic ♪

♪ In attracting no one packing, now we're fasting ♪

♪ Has the passion, how can I get this life everlasting? ♪

♪ Sick of blastin' and dashin', flashin' like Charles Manson ♪

♪ Give me the ransom, now we're glory, holla, dancin' ♪

♪ I'm flippin' and rippin' to come up with lyrical styles ♪

♪ Y'all never heard

♪ Tryin' to reach you climb the stair ♪

♪ Beyond all of this trippin' birds ♪

♪ Forget the English but rhymes, but I'm the jefe♪

♪ They bust the rich, bringin' beats like Tito Puente ♪

♪ Salsa, merengue, repos calientes♪

♪ Azucar sabroso para ti and para mi♪

♪ Goin' down

Oh, as long as they praising God's name,

The congregation is going to be in for a surprise come Sunday.

Yeah, let me know how it goes.

I expect you to be there, too.

JOHNSON: ♪ Oh-oh oh, oh-oh oh

♪ I'm goin' down, baby

♪ We goin' down to the river

♪ We

♪ So

♪ Hot

♪ We

♪ Don't

♪ Stop

♪ We take it to the river

♪ You know, we go down, down

♪ We goin' down to the river

♪ Take it to the river

♪ Goin' down...

Glad you're here, Reverend.

I suppose you've noticed how the choir has grown.

I-I was just seeing how good they are.

I also suppose you plan on enforcing the rules

and the bylaws that says all members

of the choir

must be baptized and take Bible-study classes.

Oh, now, Paulina.

You can't change that.

It'll change everything.

She has a point, Darrin.

What point is that?

If you change things, then they'll be different?

Well, yeah.

Yeah.

Oh, I'm sorry, Darrin.

But if they're going to stay,

they're going to have to abide by the church rules.

I can't swim.

Uh, don't worry, Mr. Johnson.

It's just a...

just a little sprinkle.

I won't do it.

We're broadcasting live from down by the riverside

where three lost souls are trying to find Jesus.

Although personally,

I don't think this is where he fell in.

I baptize you in the name of the Father,

and the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

[ cocks rifle]

[ grunts]

Burns.

It burns.

Oh, brother, it's just the waste

from the refinery upstream, you see?

Well, guess that about does it.

Oh, funny thing, Darrin.

I don't remember you being baptized.

Do you, Paul?

Oh, uh... uh... uh...

Well, you know I...

Paul?! No, I don't.

I am not getting in that water.

Uh-huh.

I am not getting in there.

Uh-huh. Shit.

Must be crazy.

Praise the Lord.

[ applause and cheering]

[ funky gospel plays]

♪ Yeah, yeah, come on, come on, y'all ♪

♪ We about to get our praise on in this piece right now ♪

♪ Y'all know how we do it

♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh yeah

♪ Get your hands up

♪ Lift your voice

♪ All right, check it out, we're going to do this thing ♪

♪ There's a storm within and I don't want to let it in ♪

♪ I give You control, let Your love rain down on me ♪

♪ In my heart and mind

♪ Is Your love nearby?

♪ Uh-huh

♪ I'm going to let it flow

♪ Let Your love rain down on me ♪

♪ Gonna raise my hands ♪ Gonna raise my hands♪

♪ Gonna give you all I can

♪ Every time I call His name, His love rains down on me ♪

♪ Rain down

♪ Gonna lift my voice and sing

♪ About the love and joy He brings ♪

♪ Every time I praise His name, His love rains down on me ♪

♪ I was in distress

♪ I needed happiness ♪ Come on♪

♪ So I got down on my knees and asked You to come to me ♪

♪ I know that thunder brings the rain ♪

♪ So I called Your holy name

♪ And You washed away my sins, gave me new power, yeah ♪

♪ Gonna raise my hands and dance ♪

♪ Want to give Him all I can

♪ Every time I call His name

♪ His love rains down on me

♪ Want to lift my voice and sing ♪

♪ About the love and joy He brings ♪

♪ Every time I praise His name

♪ His love rains down on me

♪ Love is raining down on me, joy is deep inside of me ♪

♪ Praise, I lift my hands to Thee ♪

♪ 'Cause Your love, Your love

♪ Love is raining down on me, joy is deep inside of me ♪

♪ Praise

♪ Want to raise my hands in praise ♪ ♪ Ah

♪ Whoo ♪ Want to give Him all I can

♪ Every time I call His name

♪ His love rains down on me

♪ Want to lift my voice and sing ♪

♪ About the love and joy He brings ♪

♪ Every time I praise His name

♪ His love rains down on me

♪ Want to raise my hands and dance ♪

♪ Want to give Him all I can

♪ Every time I call His name

♪ His love rains down on me

♪ Want to lift my voice and sing ♪

♪ About the love and joy He brings ♪

♪ Every time I praise His name

♪ His love rains down on me

♪ Want to raise my hands and dance ♪

♪ Want to give Him all I can

♪ Every time I call His name

♪ His love rains down on me

♪ Want to lift my voice and sing ♪

♪ About the love and joy He brings ♪

♪ Every time I praise His name

♪ His love rains down on me

♪ Want to raise my hands and dance ♪

♪ Want to give Him all I can every time I call His name ♪

♪ His love rains down on me

♪ Want to lift my voice and sing ♪

♪ About the love and joy He brings ♪

♪ Every time I praise His name

♪ His love rains down on me

♪ Want to raise my hands and dance ♪

♪ Want to give Him all I can, every time I call His name ♪

♪ His love rains down on me

♪ Want to lift my voice and sing ♪

♪ About the love and joy He brings ♪

♪ Every time I praise His name

♪ His love rains down on me

♪ It rains down on me.

Thanks for coming with me.

Alma gave me the key,

but I felt kind of creepy coming here by myself.

Just got to get this box of letters

before everything is packed away.

They said it was in a trunk.

I didn't even know Mama was writing these.

I always thought she lost contact with everyone here.

1985.

"Dear Sally, I think this will be my big year.

"We're settled into our apartment

and the rent is covered."

She has "Thanks" in parentheses.

Sally.

"Here's a picture of Darrin.

Doesn't he look like a future doctor or lawyer?"

This one was actually addressed to you

from Aunt Sally.

It says "Return to Sender."

It's because I moved around a lot.

[ laughs]: Oh, my God.

Not that funny.

Dear Darrin, I'm worried about you.

All the different addresses and phone numbers.

The people calling here looking for you.

You seem to be lying about who you are.

Why can't you accept who you are?

God accepts you.

New York is so dangerous,

criminals, crazy people, and me

if I have to come up there and whip your ass.

Up there acting like you ain't got no home training.

It's my fault.

I never should have let Paulina run your mom out.

I love you, Darrin.

I'm the only family you have,

and you're the only family I have.

What does the letter say?

Something in my eye.

What does the letter say?

Oh, just stuff, stuff I probably should have known.

Let me see your eye.

Huh? Oh. Let me see your eye.

She looks kind of disapproving.

I can turn the picture down.

[ laughs]: No.

It's getting kind of late.

I should go home and check on my Dean.

I should go home. Yeah, let me walk you home.

I love being back in the choir.

It's amazing how, over the years,

the music has moved people,

makes people feel better about themselves, you know?

Sure.

Gospel music moves people--

people looking to be moved and haven't figured out

they're just a bunch of old songs, anyway.

You're so cynical.

It gives people comfort.

That's why my granddaddy is not scared of dying.

Simple, effective, comforting. It must be nice.

Simple isn't always wrong.

Experience has taught me

that fighting temptation makes you strong.

Yes, but the trouble with fighting temptation

is you might not get another chance.

Oh, ye of little faith.

What advertising agency?

Oh.

I'm afraid he's out.

But I'm family.

Uh-huh, you can tell me everything

and I'll give him the message.

Uh-huh.

Really?

Oh.

I'm on location down here live

at the Beulah Baptist Church barbeque, mm-hmm.

Folks down at Polk's Funeral Home

send their best wishes to the choir

and best of luck at the Gospel Explosion next weekend.

Polk's Funeral Home, make you look good when you're dead.

So good, they guarantee you an open-casket funeral

or the next one is going to be free.

See Darrin?

Dean!

Hey!

Hey, what's up Dean?

Hi, Lilly.

I knew I could do it. I want that one.

Congratulations to Willy Johnson's

little boy, Bobby Johnson.

He won the rock-throwing contest.

You want chicken? You want chicken?

Ribs.

Oh, ribs, please.

I don't know where that boy

learned how to throw a rock like that at.

Probably the one that

broke the window down at the radio station.

I ain't trying to put that out there or nothing

but somebody broke the window.

I ain't saying he did it,

but he sure can throw a rock, that's all I've got to say.

Choir, choir!

Yoo-hoo!

Choir, gather around,

I have great news.

You'll be happy to know

that someone from New York named Rosa

called last night with great news about your job.

She did?

Oh, we got our record deal already?

No, no, no, he's not a record producer.

He's a junior level executive at an advertising agency.

But Rosa said they are sorry that they fired you

and they want you to come back.

They're even willing to overlook the fact

that you faked your high school diploma

and your Yale degree.

They're even willing

to take care of your credit card trouble,

so there's no evidence of fraud.

Isn't that great news?

What is she talking about, Darrin?

Well...

You know why they want you back?

The liquor company

can't find any other firm with ideas

as good as yours.

That's a good thing.

They said they're willing to sign on

as clients, but only if

you are in charge of their account.

So I say, congratulations are in order.

Oh. Rosa said they need

your answer as soon as possible,

so you better call them now.

I brought your phone.

Is it true, son?

Well, these things she's saying,

I mean, it's not as bad as it sounds.

You're not leaving are you?

Boy, don't you know

once you go gospel, you can't go back.

God don't like ugly.

Look at Sam Cooke.

Left the church, few years later...

Shot dead in a motel.

And Otis Redding

left the church,

plane crash.

What about Whitney Houston, and, uh, Arethra, Snoop?

They started in the church.

Boy, you just killed three people.

What about the Explosion?

What about that money exploding in my pocket, that prize money

you said you were going

to split with me 50/50?

You promised him my half?

Your half?

I have a half in there somewhere.

You're talking about my half.

And I'm in the same church

with these people?

And I thought they was holy and sanctified.

They're waiting for your answer.

I don't care what you do.

I was just using you to get a record deal,

just like you were using me.

Is that true?

Rosa?

Yeah, I got your message.

Tell them I accept.

Tomorrow? I'll be there.

So it's all about the money?

Hell, yes.

That's the reason why half of you joined the choir.

And why shouldn't I go back?

What loyalty should I have to this place?

Sure, I've been lying,

but that's nothing compared to what this church

did to me and my mom.

If you leave,

you'll be forfeiting your inheritance money.

I don't need it now.

Look, just because he's quitting,

you don't have to give up on all your hard work.

We're still going to the Explosion.

Shut up, Grandma.

Don't you dare

talk to me like that!

Are you out of your mind?

Control yourself, Grandma.

Come back here. Don't you run from me!

I cannot believe that I was going to sleep with you.

There you go.

Home, sweet home.

How about a cigar?

How about a corner office?

[ chuckling] I'm serious.

Of course, of course.

♪ Uh-huh

♪ Uh-huh...

W-Why can't they do it deep fried like they do in the South?

Okay, okay, fine, fine, I'll take

the boneless, skinless baked chicken.

Yes, that's fine.

Oh, oh, can I get the collard greens

without the goat cheese?

MAN: Darrin? Darrin?

Darrin, we can't wait

to hear your ideas.

I'm the one who got him back.

Ladies and gentlemen, since we last spoke,

I've developed a mega-campaign

that will triple our revenue within one year.

This represents the current markets

targeted by your competitors.

From it, you see

that the metropolitan areas are saturated.

We're selling an urban product.

Wrong-- you're selling an urban image.

Thus the primary focus of my plan

is to change brand identity.

No more thugs and bums drinking 40s.

Instead,

only young, successful urbanites.

That means appealing to the little man

who dreams of making it in the fast lane.

We capitalize on people who dream

of a more glamorous life

than the one that they currently have.

People who are easily influenced.

People here,

and here, and he...

And here.

The small-town barber.

The clerk at the local dry cleaners.

The people that think that urban life

is where their dreams are.

Those are the people that need your product.

They need your lies,

your false images of success and glamour.

The poison that causes them to look

for fulfillment

in material things rather than in people.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen,

if making money is our number-one goal,

then it's the little people in the little towns

that we should exploit.

After all, what do they know?

They're just a bunch of country bumpkins anyway, right?

Way to go, Darrin.

MAN: Yes!

Yes!

That's the way we're all going to make money.

Well done, Darrin.

Lilly, open up, it's me, Darrin.

PAUL: Darrin?

I knew you'd be here.

How?

It was on the radio in the back.

Where is everybody?

They're on the way to Columbus for the Gospel Explosion.

I didn't think they'd have left yet.

Why aren't you with them?

Paulina found out I gave you the names of them singers.

We had a fight, and I asserted myself.

What happened?

They went without me.

Oh.

I'm afraid Lilly's not with them, either.

Nobody has seen her since you left.

Uh, but I've been fine since you left.

Thanks for asking.

What are you doing here?

I came back.

I should have never left in the first place.

Go away.

I don't want to see you.

Is it because I lied about being a music producer?

I'm sorry about that, too.

I'm not a fool.

I knew you weren't a producer.

You didn't even know what a downbeat was.

You didn't know the difference

in keys and notes.

You didn't know... Right, I get your point.

If you knew all that, why'd you get so mad?

I was angry with myself.

It's my own fault.

I don't know why I expected

anything different from someone like you.

Yeah. I blamed you, too, at first.

Well, I had to blame someone.

But when I got back to New York, something was different.

For some reason, I felt like

I didn't have to lie anymore.

The truth felt better.

Why should I believe you now?

Because I came back

so that the commitment I made to the choir

wouldn't be a lie.

Lilly,

hate me, despise me-- I deserve it.

But don't let the choir down.

Please.

Come with me to the Explosion.

I can't.

Paulina kicked me out as soon as you left.

You got to come with me.

Without you, that choir

is a bunch of drunks, babies' daddies and convicts.

They might as well be an NFL team.

Let me go through the shadow of the valley of death.

I shall fear no evil.

We really appreciate you doing this, Lucius.

I'm just happy you were home when we came by.

Oh, no, you know

I wasn't going to go down to the Explosion

without Darrin being involved, now, Lilly.

Well, I'm glad our friendship is what's most important to you.

That's all that matters.

What?!

[ tires screeching]

[ horn honking]

Now, wait a minute, man.

MAN IN TRUCK: You stupid jerk!

Get me right if I'm wrong.

It sounds like you're trying

to skip out on paying me.

Lucius.

Oh, okay, I forgot.

We doing this for the Lord.

I forgot about that.

Amen.

[ tires squealing]

But in the Bible, it says get your money, man.

That's what it say in one of them scriptures.

♪ Come back and take me home

♪ I've been wait♪

♪ Been waiting for you

♪ Pray♪

♪ Praying to you

♪ Wait♪

♪ Laboring for you

♪ I've been wait♪

♪ Living for you

♪ Wait♪ ♪ Giving for you

♪ Wait♪ ♪ Driven by you

♪ I've been wait♪

♪ Oh, so patiently, for your face to see ♪

♪ Waiting for you♪

♪ For you to come back...

Broadcasting live from down at the Gospel Explosion.

Coming up soon, going to be

the Five Blind Boys from Alabama.

Uh, used to be six of them, but one of them got healed.

He's the driver now, and they need him,

'cause, well, they kept hitchhiking the wrong way.

Excuse me.

Which choir are you with?

The Beulah Baptist Gospel Choir, Monte Carlo, Georgia.

Got you.

You'll be coming on soon.

Paulina, some of these choirs are pretty big.

[ siren blaring]

[ tires screeching]

All right, boys, let's go.

PAULINA: We don't need those felons.

God is on our side.

This is a gospel competition.

He's on everybody's side.

And now... ...we present to you...

TOGETHER: the Blind Boys of Alabama.

[ applause]

Beulah Choir, Beulah Choir.

Before we go on, we need to make sure

that we're spiritually clean,

so, I've made a list of sins

that you all need to be forgiven for.

Starting with you. Yesterday...

♪ I'm a soldier

♪ ...In the army of the Lord

♪ Good old soldiers

♪ In the army

♪ Well, when I get to heaven, gonna sing and shout ♪

♪ Be nobody up there to turn me out ♪

♪ Talk with the Father, chat with the Son ♪

♪ Tell 'em 'bout the world I just came from ♪

♪ I'm a soldier

♪ In the army of the Lord

♪ A mighty good soldier

♪ In the army...

Great, we made it!

[ greetings and laughter]

I'm sorry I left in the first place,

and if you let me, I'll make it up to you.

Starting with keeping my commitment

and leading you in the Explosion.

[ whooping and cheering]

Hey, man, yeah! Not so fast.

He isn't leadin' this choir,

and she sure as h-h-heck isn't singing in it.

Uh, excuse me, technically, it's still my choir.

Well, technically, you violated the Explosion rules

when you recruited choir members by offering to pay them,

so if you don't mind, mychoir is about to perform.

Reverend, can she do this?

Uh... Back me up,

Paul-- you know I'm right.

W-W-Well, technically...

Technically, that also

gives me the right to kick out who I want,

right, Paul?

Oh, now...

Now you and Miss Round-the-Way here

can just leave.

Tell 'em, Paul.

Let's not go...

Let's not forget that when you went to New York,

you forfeited your rights to the inheritance.

Isn't that what the will says,

Paul?

Paul!

Oh, now, don't worry, he agrees with me.

The will doesn't say anything

about a cackling, overbearing,

hypocritical, old bitty who's about to drive me crazy

just like she did her husband!

I didn't drive James crazy, Paul-- God rest his soul.

And that's another thing.

I'm tired of telling this lie

to everybody about you being a widow. What?

James lives in Patterson County, y'all.

[ gasping] Yeah, with a big,

fine, new young wife-- know how to make a man say,

"Amen" when he at home,

as well as in the church.

[ laughter]

LILLY: You can nitpick about the church bylaws

and the technicalities of Aunt Sally's will all you want,

but what really matters is the spirit of her wishes,

and Aunt Sally's dying wish was for Darrin to lead this choir.

End of story.

You think you can challenge me, boy?

Reverend Lewis... Hmm?

do the bylaws say anything

about voting someone out of the choir?

Yes, they do...

as long as it's by a majority

of baptized choir members.

Paulina, thank you for making sure

all of us are baptized.

All in favor of kicking Paulina out of the choir...

♪ Listening to that voice deep inside saying ♪

♪ You know ♪ I'll be here

♪ Always

♪ Forever

♪ Don't matter what happens

♪ I'm gonna stay the same

Hey...

you guys ready?

Fo shizzle. Yeah.

Let's knock 'em dead.

Darrin. Oh.

I suppose you'll be leaving us soon.

Now, is it okay if the lawyers

mail your inheritance check? Keep it.

Make it out to the Beulah Baptist Church.

Don't you want to know how much it is?

I want to give the church a Sally Walker Day Care Center

and a new roof.

It was only worth $357.

I-I thought you said the portfolio

was worth $150,000.

Didn't you read about it?

Georgia Telecom went belly-up

when you were up in New York.

I guess we better go win this church some money.

Give 'em hell.

I mean that in the most Christian way.

Sure.

Ready? Let's go.

I want you to hear how they announce us.

Why?

You inspired it.

I did? Yes.

Right now, from the Beulah Baptist Church

in Monte Carlo, Georgia...

Here are the Fighting Temptations!

Okay. Is everyone ready?

Yo, why do we have to wear these robes?

I don't wear this stuff.

Yes, everyone has to wear the same thing. Why?

My suit is tight, and ladies don't like

to see Lucius in no robe.

Okay, everyone takes their robe off.

No.

Well, apparently the Fighting Temptations aren't quite ready.

All right, okay, all right,

listen, listen, listen.

We hope to hear from the Fighting Temptations Yes.

before Judgment Day.

[ laughter]

All right...

all right.

[ laughter]

[ applause]

Oh, no, he might start singing.

Get out there. Get out there.

Three, four... [ music begins]

♪ Duh, duh, duh

♪ Duh, nuh, nuh, nuh

♪ Duh, duh, duh

♪ Duh-nuh, duh-nuh

♪ Dum, duh, duh, dum, dum ♪ Dum, dum, dum

♪ Ooh... ♪ Duh, nuh, nuh, nuh, nuh

♪ Ho, ooh, whoa ♪ Dum, dum, dum

♪ Duh-nuh, du-nuh

♪ Took me a while, but I'm finally here ♪

♪ So I just want to testify

♪ Make it crystal clear

♪ Take your time ♪ See, I been picked out

♪ To be picked on ♪ Oh, no

♪ Talked about out my friend's mouth ♪

♪ I been beat down ♪ Yeah, yeah

♪ Till He turned my life around ♪

♪ Turned my life around

♪ Seemed like I always fall short of being worthy ♪

♪ 'Cause I ain't good enough, but He still loves me ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah ♪ I ain't no superstar

♪ The spotlight ain't shining on me ♪

♪ No, no, no, no, no

♪ 'Cause I ain't good enough

♪ No... ♪ But He still loves me, love me ♪

♪ I used to wake up some days and wish I'd stayed asleep ♪

♪ Why can't you, girl? ♪ 'Cause I went to bed on top of the world ♪

♪ Today the world's on top of me ♪

♪ Now, everybody's got opinions ♪ ♪ They share♪

♪ They've been in my position ♪ They don't care♪

♪ That it breaks my heart when I hear ♪

♪ What they have to say about me ♪

♪ What'd they say about you? ♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah

♪ Seems like I always fall short of being worthy♪ ♪ Fall short

♪ Lord, I ain't worthy, no

♪ 'Cause I ain't good enough♪

♪ But He still loves me♪ ♪ Still loves me, yeah

♪ I ain't no superstar♪

♪ Ain't no superstar ♪ The spotlight ain't shining on me♪

♪ I want to be for you

♪ 'Cause I ain't good enough, but He still loves me♪

♪ I'm not perfect♪

♪ I'm not perfect

♪ Yes, I do wrong♪

♪ Yes, I do wrong

♪ I'm trying my best♪

♪ Trying my best ♪ I ain't good enough♪

♪ Just ain't good enough, no, no ♪ ♪ Sure, I done wrong♪

♪ The sun rises anyway ♪ If I don't succeed♪

♪ If I don't succeed ♪ 'Cause I ain't good enough♪

♪ I ain't good enough ♪ Just ain't good enough

♪ But you love me

♪ If you ain't worthy, just raise your hands ♪

♪ And let me know that you understand ♪

♪ That we are all so blessed to be loved ♪

♪ Loved

♪ Stand for him and fall for anything ♪

♪ 'Cause through his eyes we all look the same ♪

♪ What would we do without blame? ♪

♪ Seemed like we always fall short of being worthy ♪

♪ We are not worthy

♪ 'Cause I ain't good enough♪ ♪ I'm...

♪ I ain't good enough ♪ But He still loves me♪

♪ I ain't good enough

♪ I ain't no superstar

♪ I ain't no superstar ♪ But He still loves me♪

♪ But I want to be for you, Lord ♪

♪ 'Cause I ain't good enough♪ ♪ Whoa, whoa

♪ But He still loves me♪ ♪ But He still loves me, me, me ♪

♪ I'm not worthy♪ ♪ I'm not worthy

♪ No, no, no, no ♪ Yes, I do know♪

♪ Yes, I do know, know, know, know ♪

♪ Trying my best

♪ It ain't good enough♪

♪ I ain't good enough ♪ Shunned by the world♪

♪ Shunned by the world

♪ If I don't succeed♪ ♪ I don't succeed

♪ I'm not good enough♪ ♪ I ain't good enough

♪ But He still loves me♪ ♪ Ooh, He loves me

♪ Would you all sing with me? ♪ Hold up your hands♪

♪ If you understand, just sing

♪ I'm trying my best, but I...

♪ It ain't good enough ♪ Oh, the Lord's been so good to me ♪

♪ Shunned by the world♪ ♪ I've been shunned by the world ♪

♪ When I don't succeed♪ ♪ I've been shunned by the world ♪

♪ I ain't good enough ♪ He still loves me♪

♪ The Lord still loves me

♪ Lord, I ain't good enough

♪ No, no, no...

♪ Raise your hands if you understand ♪

♪ How He blesses you, 'cause He blessed me, too ♪

♪ He still loves me♪ ♪ Even though I ain't worthy

You ain't worthy-- He's there for you. ♪ No, I ain't good enough♪

♪ But He still loves me♪ ♪ I don't know what I'd do

♪ Though I ain't good enough♪ ♪ I ain't good enough

♪ But He still loves me♪ ♪ But the Lord still loves me.

And the winner is...

The Fighting Temptations!

Wow, uh... on-on behalf of the choir,

I just want to say thank you.

I'm really proud of my hometown, Monte Carlo.

Uh, and just one more thing.

My mom once told me not to settle

for anything less than the best...

...and if Lilly will have me,

I can finally say that I kept my promise.

CHOIR: Monte Carlo!

Monte Carlo!

Monte Carlo!

PAUL: And since God keeps blessing us with new souls every week,

we're soon going to be starting

our building expansion projects.

Yes... yeah. Yes.

And now, let's be blessed by our wonderful choir.

♪ Come on, clap your hands, stomp your feet ♪

♪ Clap your hands and stomp your feet, come on ♪

♪ Clap your hands, stomp your feet, yeah ♪

♪ Clap your hands, stomp your feet, y'all ♪

♪ Hand of power, son, has finally returned ♪

♪ Yeah

♪ And now He's home

♪ And He want to get it on ♪ Whoa, ho, ho

♪ Want to get close? ♪ I feel sanctified

♪ Come on, Lord! ♪ Whoo, come on!

♪ Come-a, come-a, come on

♪ Come on ♪ Come on, come on

♪ All God's children ♪ All God's children♪

♪ Oh, yeah ♪ Come back home♪

♪ All God's children♪

♪ Feels good, Lord ♪ Come back home♪

♪ Said I feel good, feel, feel, feel, feel good ♪

♪ Come back home♪ ♪ 'Cause I feel good

♪ All God's children♪ ♪ Feel, feel, feel, feel good

♪ Come back home♪

♪ Say it loud

♪ Say it loud!

♪ Say it loud ♪ I...

♪ Say it loud ♪ I...

♪ I'm coming home ♪ Coming home♪

♪ Coming home ♪ Coming home

♪ Say good God of mine ♪ Yeah♪

♪ Feel, feel soul ♪ Yeah

♪ Good God of mine ♪ Lord♪

♪ Want the world to know that I am coming ♪ ♪ I am coming♪

♪ I'm coming♪ ♪ I'm coming

♪ I'm coming♪ ♪ Yeah, yeah

♪ My brothers and sisters

♪ All God's children

♪ Yeah! ♪ ...Yourself

♪ Coming home... ♪ Coming home♪

♪ Coming home ♪ Coming home♪

♪ I got the feeling

♪ Yeah! ♪ Going home now

♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh ♪ ...To the Lord...

♪ We going to get on down ♪ Coming home

♪ Going home... ♪ Coming home

♪ Going home ♪ Coming home♪

♪ Say I'm feeling, feeling the fire ♪

♪ Yeah ♪ I feel it in my soul.

♪ God, I'm a slave

♪ To get to heaven, Reverend says I got to be saved ♪

♪ And behave, though I'm too stuck in my ways ♪

♪ Give him praise ♪ Words can't express what I feel inside of my flesh ♪

♪ Every breath is giving him glory until my death ♪

♪ I feel blessed♪ ♪ 'Cause every day I see him in the world ♪

♪ I feel blessed♪ ♪ I don't want to do no more dirt ♪

♪ I feel blessed♪ ♪ 'Cause that path I was on was wrong ♪

♪ I feel blessed♪ ♪ It's time to come home

LILLY: ♪ It doesn't matter where you been ♪

♪ Or what you did wrong

♪ It doesn't matter who you are ♪

♪ You're always welcome

♪ It only matters that your heart believes ♪

♪ And you confess

♪ If you committed any sin, you'll be forgiven ♪

♪ Callin' on all of God's children ♪

♪ Time to come home♪

♪ If you want to be delivered

♪ Time to come home...♪

♪ I've been rescued by the savior ♪

♪ Time to come home...♪

♪ If you want to be ♪ You need to be

♪ Time to come home...♪ ♪ Want to be

♪ Ooh, don't bear the burden all by yourself ♪

♪ By yourself♪ ♪ The redeemer's here-- He's going to give you help ♪

♪ Give you a hand♪ ♪ Hold on to Him, and He will give you rest ♪

♪ For any heart that's heavy lay soul salvation ♪

♪ Ooh... whoa...

♪ Completely up, down-- He knows ♪

♪ Time to come home♪ ♪ Time to come home

♪ Believe in me ♪ Time to come home♪

♪ I've been rescued by the savior ♪

♪ Time to come home♪

♪ Don't you want to be in His favor? ♪

♪ Time to come home♪

♪ Oh... my home

♪ Come home♪

♪ You're home ♪ You're home

♪ The everlasting home♪

♪ Time to come home.

You know I'm your daddy, right?

Oh, just relax, yo, I'm just kidding.

♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

♪ All that street-corner barbershop harmony ♪

♪ That's cool, right?

♪ We got some new hip-hop in Monte Carlo, Georgia ♪

♪ For y'all tonight-- yo, Briggs ♪

♪ I'm going to lay down♪ ♪ All of my glocks and automatics ♪

♪ I'm charismatic like crack addicts ♪

♪ You wreak havoc like road ragers in bad traffic ♪

♪ It get drastic, but He's fantastic in attracting ♪

♪ No more packing, now we're fasting ♪

♪ Has the passion, how can I get this life everlasting? ♪

♪ Sick of blasting and dashing, flashing like Charles Manson ♪

♪ He paid the ransom, now I'm glory, holla, dancin' ♪

♪ I'm flippin' and rippin', come up with lyrical styles ♪

♪ Y'all never heard-- trying to reach him-- climb the step ♪

♪ Beyond all of those trippin' birds ♪

♪ Forget the English, spit rhymes, but I'm the jefe♪

♪ Busting rich and ..., bringin' beats like Tito Fuentes ♪

♪ Salsa, merengue, repos calientes♪

♪ Fever... ooh...

♪ Fever♪ ♪ When you kiss me, and fever when you hold me tight ♪

♪ You give me fever ♪ Fever♪

♪ Ooh, Beyoncé, is he like that-- free?♪

♪ Missy, put it down on the beat♪

♪ Beyoncé, is he like that-- free?♪

♪ Come on, come on ♪ Missy, put it down on the beat♪

♪ Come on, come on, come on, come on home ♪

♪ Come on, come on home

♪ Come on, come on home ♪

♪ Come on, come on home

♪ Don't you want to be in His favor? ♪

♪ Time to come home♪ ♪ Oh...

♪ My home♪ ♪ My home

♪ Your home♪ ♪ Your home

♪ Go home ♪ Come on, come on home

♪ Come on, come on home ♪

♪ Come on, come on home

♪ Come back home♪

♪ All God's children♪

♪ Come back home♪

♪ All God's children♪

♪ Come back home♪

♪ All God's children♪ ♪ Yeah, I'm coming

♪ I've been there ♪ I'm coming

♪ Well, I've been there ♪ I'm coming

♪ All the way home ♪ All the way home

♪ Said good God of mine

♪ Feel it in my soul ♪ Yeah

♪ Good God of mine

♪ Yeah! ♪ Want the world to know

♪ I'm ready ♪ I'm ready♪

♪ I'm getting ready... ♪ I'm ready♪

♪ I'm getting ready ♪ Getting ready♪

♪ Are you ready? ♪ Getting ready...♪

♪ Are you ready? ♪ Getting ready♪

♪ I'm getting ready ♪ Getting ready♪

♪ I'm getting ready, I'm getting ready ♪

♪ Looking for that stone, that stone, yeah ♪

♪ You've got the mountain♪

♪ I've been looking for that stone, that stone ♪

♪ You've got the mountain♪

♪ I've been looking for that stone, that stone ♪

♪ You've got the mountain♪

♪ I've been looking for that stone ♪

♪ Looking for that stone

♪ Looking for that stone, that stone, that... ♪

♪ She rocks me like the rock of ages and loves me ♪

♪ Oh, she loves me ♪ Oh, she loves you like a rock♪

♪ She rocks me like the rock of ages and loves me ♪

♪ He-He-He still loves me♪

♪ Though I ain't good enough♪

♪ But He still loves me♪

♪ Even though I ain't good enough♪

♪ But He still loves me♪

♪ Even though I ain't good enough♪

♪ But He still loves me.♪

♪ Fever...♪ ♪ When you kiss me

♪ And fever when you hold me tight ♪

♪ You give me fever ♪ Fever...♪

♪ In the morning, and fever all through the night ♪

♪ Baby knows just what to do

♪ Got me boiling past 102

♪ Baby knows just what to do

♪ Got me boiling past 102

♪ Fever all through the night

♪ Fe-Fe-Fe-Fe-Fever all through the ni-ni-night ♪

♪ We-we-we... don't stop

♪ We... so hot, hot, hot, hot.