Puzzling crossword

My treaty start to the morning is to curl up with a mug of coffee and do the crosaire (1). This morning I finished it all, which pleased me greatly. But I don't get my final clue, which was 25 down:

25 down) What one expects to hear from the end of 9 across (6 letters)

The clues are: _ A _ O _ S

Now, 9 across (2) was 'awaits', linked to 11 down (3), which was 'alight'.

I totally guessed 'carols', which is apparently right, but I have no idea why. And that's niggling me...

________
Endnotes
(1) the Irish Times cryptic crossword
(2) 9 across. It's what it is hanging around to make it not 11 down matter, by the sound of it (6)
(3) 11 down. Get down, having been fired (6)

The Bunglers' Parade

Okay, first the pictures, from the top left:

1) Killer from Don't Look Now/ Bread Dog/ Streamer War Runner-up/ Umbrella Lady
2) Grass Man/ Snow White levitating/ Guitar-Playing Condom Man/ Streamer War Winner cutting a deal with pirate
3) Bus Ticket Thing/ VIPs/ Chick in awe of balloons/ Male Bride
4) Hunting Snow White/ Spidey plays nintendo/ Stubborn as a goat/ Beatrice

So far, a recognisable parade. The real lost-in-translation bit came with the floats. Since I couldn't understand the slogans shouted or the placards brandished, my reaction is all visual.

There were two yes two dramatic executions of Saddam Hussein. When the first killing-float passed it was followed by figures dressed in white sheets, who all knelt and praised Allah, as though that was really funny. Throughout there were placards about abortion (it's been much in the news lately), but none beat the 'Abortion Funeral Cortege' which processed by. Eerily, there was no reaction at all from the crowd; they just watched.

However, then the Volare Man showed up, and with the grace of a swan led us in song...

And in other news, I have a zillion crosaires to stretch my brain sideways...