When I Was a Lad Songtext
von Gilbert & Sullivan

When I was a lad I served a term
As office boy to an Attorney′s firm.
I cleaned the windows and I swept the floor,
And I polished up the handle of the big front door.

He polished up the handle of the big front door.

Sir Joseph.
I polished up that handle so carefullee
That now I am the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!

He polished up that handle so carefullee,
That now he is the ruler of the Queen′s Navee!

Henry Lytton as Sir Joseph 1920
Sir Joseph.
As office boy I made such a mark
That they gave me the post of a junior clerk.
I served the writs with a smile so bland,
And I copied all the letters in a big round hand.
He copied all the letters in a big round hand.


Sir Joseph.
I copied all the letters in a hand so free,
That now I am the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!

He copied all the letters in a hand so free,
That now he is the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!

Sir Joseph.
In serving writs I made such a name
That an articled clerk I soon became;
I wore clean collars and a brand-new suit
For the pass examination at the Institute.

For the pass examination at the Institute.

Sir Joseph.
That pass examination did so well for me,
That now I am the Ruler of the Queen′s Navee!

That pass examination did so well for he,
That now he is the Ruler of the Queen′s Navee!

Sir Joseph.
Of legal knowledge I acquired such a grip
That they took me into the partnership.
And that junior partnership, I ween,
Was the only ship that I ever had seen.

Was the only ship that he ever had seen.


Sir Joseph.
But that kind of ship so suited me,
That now I am the ruler of the Queen's Navee!

But that kind of ship so suited he,
That now he is the ruler of the Queen′s Navee!

Sir Joseph.
I grew so rich that I was sent
By a pocket borough into Parliament.
I always voted at my party's call,
And I never thought of thinking for myself at all.

He never thought of thinking for himself at all.

Sir Joseph.
I thought so little, they rewarded me
By making me the Ruler of the Queen′s Navee!

He thought so little, they rewarded he
By making him the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!

Sir Joseph.
Now landsmen all, whoever you may be,
If you want to rise to the top of the tree,
If your soul isn′t fettered to an office stool,
Be careful to be guided by this golden rule.

Be careful to be guided by this golden rule.

Sir Joseph.
Stick close to your desks and never go to sea,
And you all may be rulers of the Queen's Navee!

Stick close to your desks and never go to sea,
And you all may be rulers of the Queen's Navee!