When I Was a Lad

When I Was a Lad - Martyn Green

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

And I 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

I polished up that

Handle so carefullee

That now I am 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

And I 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

I copied all the letters

In a hand so free

That now I am 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 pass examination

At the institute

For the pass examination

At the institute

And that pass examination

Did so well for me

That now I am the ruler

Of the queen's navee

And that pass examination

Did so well for me

That now I am 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

I 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 me

That now I am 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

And I never thought of

Thinking for myself at all

I thought so little they rewarded me

By making me the ruler

Of the queen's navee

I thought so little they rewarded me

By making me 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