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 cleaned the windows and I the floor,
And I polished up the handle of the big door.

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

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

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

Sir Joseph.
As boy I made such a mark
That they gave me the of a junior clerk.
I served the with a smile so bland,
And I copied all the letters in a big hand.
Chorus.
He all the letters in a big round 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,
now he is the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!

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

Chorus.
For the examination at the Institute.

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

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

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

Chorus.
Was the ship that he ever had seen.

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

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

Sir Joseph.
I grew so rich that I was
By a pocket into Parliament.
I always at my party's 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 Ruler of the Navee!

Chorus.
He so little, they 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 fettered to an office stool,
Be careful to be guided by this rule.

Chorus.
Be to be guided by this golden rule.

Sir Joseph.
Stick close to desks and never go to sea,
And you all may be rulers of the 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 sailor is a splendid fellow, Captain Corcoran.

Corcoran.
A fellow indeed, Sir Joseph.

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

Corcoran.
Indeed I so, Sir Joseph.

Sir Joseph.
forget that they 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. are an excellent crew, and do
work thoroughly without it.

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

Corcoran.
not, Sir Joseph.

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

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

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

(Dick forward)

No, no, the splendid seaman.

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

Sir Joseph. (sternly)
If

Corcoran.
I beg pardon -- I don't 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 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 evening, after dinner. Now tell me — don't be
afraid — how 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 it, but still it does 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 have composed for the use of the Navy. It is
designed to independence of thought and action in the
ower branches of the service, and to teach the principle a
sailor is any man's equal, excepting mine. Now, Captain
Corcoran, a word with you in your cabin, on a and
subject.

Corcoran.
Aye, aye, Sir Joseph. (Crossing) Boatswain, in
of this 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.

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

(Exit.)