When I Was A Lad chords by Gilbert & Sullivan
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Verse 1
(G major)
(C major)
(D major) (G major)
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 (A major) polished up the handle
of the (D major) big front door. (A major)
(D major) I pol (G major) ished up that handle so carefully,
that (C major) now I am the ruler
of the (G major) Queen's Navy.
He was a man so careful and meek,
That (C major) now he is the ruler
of the (G major) Queen's Navy.
As office boy I made such a mock,
That they gave me the post of a junior clerk.
I served the Ritz with a smile so bland,
And I (A major) copied all the letters
in a (D major) big round hand. (A major)
(D major) I (G major) copied all the letters in a hand so free,
That (C major) now I am the ruler
of the (G major) Queen's Navy.
He copied all the letters in a hand so free,
That (C major) now he is the ruler
of the (G major) Queen's Navy.
In serving Ritz,
I majored a name
that an article clerk I
soon became.
I wore clean collars and a brand new suit
for (D major) the pass examination
of the institute. (A major)
(D major) That (G major) pass examination did so well for me
that (C major) now I am the ruler
of the (G major) Queen's Navy. (C major) (G major)
Of legal knowledge, I acquired such a grift
that they took me into the (C major) partnership,
(G major) and that junior partnership, Iween,
was the (A major) only ship I (D major) ever had seen.
The (A major) only ship he (D major) ever had seen.
But (G major) that kind of ship so suited me
that (C major) now I am the ruler
of the (G major) Queen's Navy.
Yes, that kind of ship so suited he
that (C major) now he is the ruler
of (G major) the Queen's Navy.
I grew so rich
that I was sent by a pocket
borough into Parliament.
I always voted at my party's call
and (A major) never thought of thinking for
me (D major) self at all.
Never thought (A major) for me (D major) self at all.
I (G major) fought so little, they rewarded me
By mak (C major) ing me the ruler
of the (G major) Queen's Navy
He fought so little, they rewarded me
By (C major) making him the ruler
of (G major) the Queen's Navy
Now, landsmen all, whoever you may be
If you want to rise to the top of the tree
If your soul is infested to an office stool
Be (A major) careful to be guided
by this (D major) golden rule
Be careful to be (A major) guided
by (D major) this golden rule
(G major) Stick close to your desks
and never go to sea,
And you (C major) all may be rulers
of the (G major) Queen's Navy.
Stick close to your desks
and never go to sea,
An (C major) d all may be rulers
of the (G major) Queen's Navy. (C major) (D major)
(G major)
(D major) (G major)
(D major) (G major)
You're a remarkably fine crew,
Captain Corcoran.
It is a fine crew, Sir Joseph.
A British sailor
is a splendid fellow,
Captain Corcoran.
A splendid fellow indeed, Sir Joseph.
I hope you'll treat your crew kindly,
(G major) Captain Corcoran.
Indeed I hope so, Sir Joseph.
Never forget that they are
the bulwarks
of England's greatness,
Captain Corcoran.
So I have always considered them,
Sir Joseph.
No bullying, I trust.
No strong (A major) language of any kind, eh?
Oh, never, Sir Joseph.
What, never?
Well, hardly ever, Sir Joseph.
They are an excellent crew
and do their work thoroughly without it.
Don't patronise them, sir.
Pray don't patronise them.
Certainly not, Sir Joseph.
That you are their captain
is an accident of birth.
I cannot permit these noble
fellows
to be patronised.
Because an accident of birth
has placed you above
them
and them below you.
I am the last person to insult
a British sailor,
Sir Joseph.
(D major) You are (G major) the last person who did,
(A major) Captain Corcoran.
Desire that splendid seaman
to step forward.
No, no, the other splendid seaman.
Wraith Rackstraw,
three paces to the front, march.
If what? (A major) (G major) I beg your pardon,
I (C major) don't think I understand you.
If you please.
Oh yes, of course,
if you please.
You're a remarkably fine
fellow.
Yes, your honour.
And a first -rate seaman,
I'll be bound.
There's not a smarter topman in the navy,
your honour,
though I say it you shouldn't.
Not at all, not at all.
Proper self -respect, nothing more.
Can you dance a hornpipe?
No, Your Honour.
That's a pity.
All sailors should dance hornpipes.
I will teach you one this evening,
after dinner.
Now, tell me. Don't be afraid.
How does your captain treat you, eh?
A better captain don't walk the deck,
Your Honour.
Aye, aye. Good, good.
I'd like to hear you speak well
of your commanding officer.
I dare say he don't deserve it,
but still it does you credit.
Oh, can you sing?
I can hum a little, Your Honour.
Oh, then hum this at your leisure.
It is a song that I have composed
for the use of the Royal Navy.
It is designed to encourage independence
of thought and action
in the lower branches of the service,
and to teach the principle
that a British sailor
is any man's equal.
Excepting (D major) mine.
Now, Captain Corcoran,
a word with you in your cabin
on a tender and sentimental subject.
Aye, aye, Sir Joseph.
And Bowson, in commemoration of this joyous occasion,
see that extra grog is served out
to the ship's company at
seven bells.
Beg pardon?
If what, your honour?
If what?
I don't understand you.
If you please, your honour.
What?
The gentleman is quite right.
Yeah. If you please.
If you please. us.
When I Was A Lad
Gilbert & Sullivan
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