Luyện nghe bài hát When I Was A Lad

Sir Joseph.
When I was a lad I a term
As office boy to an 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 handle so carefullee
That now I am the Ruler of the Navee!

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

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

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

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

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

Chorus.
For the examination at the Institute.

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

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

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

Chorus.
Was the only ship that he had seen.

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

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

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

Chorus.
He thought of thinking for himself at all.

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

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

Sir Joseph.
Now all, whoever you may be,
If you want to to the top of the tree,
If your isn't fettered to an office stool,
Be careful to be guided by this rule.

Chorus.
Be careful to be guided by this rule.

Sir Joseph.
Stick close to your desks and go to sea,
And you all may be of the Queen's Navee!

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

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

Corcoran.
It is a crew, Sir Joseph.

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

Corcoran.
A fellow indeed, Sir Joseph.

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

Corcoran.
Indeed I so, Sir Joseph.

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

Corcoran.
So I always considered them, Sir Joseph.

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

Corcoran.
Oh, never, Sir Joseph.

Sir Joseph. What,

Corcoran.
Hardly ever, Sir Joseph. They are an crew, and do
work thoroughly without it.

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

Corcoran.
not, Sir Joseph.

Sir Joseph.
That you are their captain is an accident of birth. I cannot
these noble fellows to be patronised because an of birth
has placed you above them and below you.

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

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

(Dick forward)

No, no, the other seaman.

Corcoran.
Ralph Rackstraw, paces 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.
a remarkably fine fellow.

Ralph.
Yes, honour.

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

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

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

Ralph.
No, honour.

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

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

All.
Aye!

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

Ralph.
I can hum a little, honour.

Sir Joseph.
Then hum this at 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
branches of the service, and to teach the principle that a
British sailor is any equal, excepting mine. Now, Captain
Corcoran, a with you in your cabin, on a tender and
subject.

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

Boatswain.
Beg pardon. If what, honour?

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

Boatswain.
If you please, honour.

Corcoran.
What!

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

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

(Exit.)