Luyện nghe bài hát When I Was A Lad

Sir Joseph.
When I was a lad I a term
As boy to an Attorney's firm.
I the windows and I swept the floor,
And I up the handle of the big front door.

Chorus.
He polished up the of the big front door.

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

Chorus.
He up that handle so carefullee,
now he is the ruler of the Queen's Navee!

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

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

Chorus.
He copied all the letters in a so free,
That now he is the Ruler of the Navee!

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

Chorus.
For the pass at the Institute.

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

Chorus.
pass examination did so well for he,
That now he is the Ruler of the Navee!

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

Chorus.
Was the only that he ever had seen.

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

Chorus.
But that kind of so suited he,
That now he is the of the Queen's Navee!

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

Chorus.
He never thought of thinking for at all.

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

Chorus.
He thought so little, rewarded he
By making him the Ruler of the Navee!

Sir Joseph.
Now landsmen all, you may be,
If you to rise to the top of the tree,
If your soul isn't to an office stool,
Be to be guided by this golden rule.

Chorus.
Be careful to be by this golden rule.

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

Chorus.
Stick to your desks and never go to sea,
And you all may be rulers of the Navee!

Sir Joseph.
You've a fine crew, Captain Corcoran.

Corcoran.
It is a crew, Sir Joseph.

Sir Joseph. (examining a very midshipman)
A British is a splendid fellow, Captain Corcoran.

Corcoran.
A splendid indeed, Sir Joseph.

Sir Joseph.
I you treat your crew kindly, Captain Corcoran.

Corcoran.
Indeed I so, Sir Joseph.

Sir Joseph.
Never forget that they are the of England's greatness,
Corcoran.

Corcoran.
So I have considered them, Sir Joseph.

Sir Joseph.
No bullying, I trust — no language of any kind, eh?

Corcoran.
Oh, never, Sir Joseph.

Sir Joseph. What,

Corcoran.
Hardly ever, Sir Joseph. They are an crew, and do
their work thoroughly it.

Sir Joseph.
Don't them, sir — pray, don't patronise them.

Corcoran.
not, Sir Joseph.

Sir Joseph.
That you are their captain is an accident of birth. I permit
these noble fellows to be because an accident of birth
has you above them and them below you.

Corcoran.
I am the last person to a British sailor, Sir Joseph.

Sir Joseph.
You are the last person who did, Captain Corcoran.
that seaman to step forward.

(Dick forward)

No, no, the splendid seaman.

Corcoran.
Ralph Rackstraw, three to the front — march!

Sir Joseph. (sternly)
If

Corcoran.
I beg your pardon -- I think I understand you.

Sir Joseph.
If you please.

Corcoran.
Oh, yes, of course. If you please. (Ralph forward.)

Sir Joseph.
You're a remarkably fellow.

Ralph.
Yes, honour.

Sir Joseph.
And a first-rate seaman, be bound.

Ralph.
not a smarter topman in the Navy, your honour,
I say it who shouldn't.

Sir Joseph.
Not at all. self-respect, nothing more. Can you dance
a

Ralph.
No, honour.

Sir Joseph.
That's a all sailors should dance hornpipes. I will teach
you one this evening, after dinner. Now me — don't be
afraid — how does your captain you, eh?

Ralph.
A captain don't walk the deck, your honour.

All.
Aye!

Sir Joseph.
Good. I like to hear you speak of your commanding officer;
I daresay he don't deserve it, but still it you credit. Can you sing?

Ralph.
I can hum a little, honour.

Sir Joseph.
hum this at your leisure. (Giving him MS. music.) It is a
song that I composed for the use of the Royal Navy. It is
designed to encourage independence of thought and in the
ower of the service, and to teach the principle that a
British sailor is any man's equal, excepting mine. Now,
Corcoran, a word with you in your cabin, on a and
subject.

Corcoran.
Aye, aye, Sir Joseph. (Crossing) Boatswain, in
of this joyous occasion, see that extra grog is out to the
company at seven bells.

Boatswain.
Beg pardon. If what, honour?

Corcoran.
If what? I don't I understand you.

Boatswain.
If you please, honour.

Corcoran.
What!

Sir Joseph.
The is quite right. If you please.

Corcoran. (stamping his foot impatiently)
If you please!

(Exit.)