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 cleaned the windows and I 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 handle so
That now I am the of the Queen's Navee!

Chorus.
He polished up handle so carefullee,
That now he is the ruler of the Navee!

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

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

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

Sir Joseph.
In serving writs I such a name
That an clerk I soon became;
I wore clean collars and a suit
For the examination at the Institute.

Chorus.
For the pass at the Institute.

Sir Joseph.
That examination did so well for me,
That now I am the Ruler of the Navee!

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

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

Chorus.
Was the ship that he ever had seen.

Sir Joseph.
But that of ship so suited me,
That now I am the ruler of the Navee!

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

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

Chorus.
He thought of thinking for himself at all.

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

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

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

Chorus.
Be careful to be guided by this rule.

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

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

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

Corcoran.
It is a crew, Sir Joseph.

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

Corcoran.
A fellow indeed, Sir Joseph.

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

Corcoran.
Indeed I so, Sir Joseph.

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

Corcoran.
So I have considered them, Sir Joseph.

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

Corcoran.
Oh, never, Sir Joseph.

Sir Joseph. What,

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

Sir Joseph.
Don't patronise them, sir — pray, 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 patronised an accident of birth
has placed you above them and below you.

Corcoran.
I am the last to insult 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 other seaman.

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

Sir Joseph. (sternly)
If

Corcoran.
I beg your pardon -- I don't I understand you.

Sir Joseph.
If you please.

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

Sir Joseph.
You're a fine fellow.

Ralph.
Yes, honour.

Sir Joseph.
And a seaman, I'll be bound.

Ralph.
not a smarter topman in the Navy, your 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.
a pity: all sailors should dance hornpipes. I will teach
you one this evening, after dinner. Now me — don't be
afraid — how does captain treat you, eh?

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

All.
Aye!

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

Ralph.
I can hum a little, honour.

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

Corcoran.
Aye, aye, Sir Joseph. (Crossing) Boatswain, in
of this joyous occasion, see that 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.)