Substitutiary Locomotion

"Substitutiary Locomotion" is a song written by Robert and Richard Sherman for the 1971 Walt Disney musical film production Bedknobs and Broomsticks. It is sung by "Professor Emelius Browne" (played by David Tomlinson), "Eglantine Price" (played by Angela Lansbury), and the three children. The spell is composed by five magic words: "Treguna Mekoides Trecorum Satis Dee", which were engraved in the Star of Astoroth.

Symbolism
Substitutiary locomotion Mystic power that's far beyond the wildest notion It's so weird, so feared, yet wonderful to see Substitutiary locomotion come to me
 * When the children, professor and Eglantine work together, as a family, they are able to conjure up the "spirit" (or Spirits) needed to save England. Treguna Mekoides and Trecorum Satis Dee

The original complete lyrics of the song as written by the Sherman Brothers, included an intro and several more verses, but these were not included in the film. However they have been performed by several YouTubers.

Cosmic wizards of timeless times Teach my tongue the transcendental lines Help my mind to find the skill Give my heart the perfect will To summon... Substitutiary locomotion Mystic power that's far beyond the wildest notion It's so weird, so feared, yet wonderful to see Substitutiary locomotion come to me I don't want locomotiary substitution Or remote intransitory convolution Only one precise solution is the key Substitutiary locomotion it must be Substitutiary locomotion Can create a state of clanless commotion It's the spell to quell invasion from the sea Substitutiary locomotion is the key The key to guide the tide that's stronger than the ocean I want substitutiary locomotion It can cause the force to keep our country free Substitutiary locomotion work for me! Substitutiary locomotion I want substitutiary locomotion Very substitutiary is the key Substitutiary locomotion come to me!

Literary Sources

 * Sherman, Robert B. Walt's Time: from before to beyond. Santa Clarita: Camphor Tree Publishers, 1998.