When I Was A Lad

When I Was A Lad - Dennis Olsen/The Corinthian Singers Festival Chorus/Adelaide Symphony Orchestra/James Christiansen

Written by：Arthur Seymor Sullivan/William Schwenck Gilbert/Kevin Roper

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

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

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

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

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 passed examination at the institute

For the passed examination at the institute

That passed examination did so well for me

That now I am the ruler of the queen's navee

That passed examination did so well for he

That now he is the ruler of the queen's navee

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

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

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

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

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

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