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When I Was a Lad

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 polished up the handle of the big front door,
He polished up the handle of the big front door.
I polished up that handle so carefully
That now I am the ruler of the Queen’s Navee.
He polished up that handle so carefully
That now I am the ruler of the Queen’s Navee.

As office boy I made such a mark
That they gave me the post of a junior clerk.
I served the writs with a smile so bland,
And I copied all the letters in a big round hand.
He copied all the letters in a big round hand.
I copied all the letters in a hand so free
That now I am the ruler of the Queen’s Navee.
I copied all the letters in a hand so free
That now I am the ruler of the Queen’s Navee.

In serving writs I made such a name,
That an articled clerk I soon became;
I wore clean collars and a brand new suit
For the pass examination at the Institute.
For the pass examination at the Institute.
That pass examination did so well for me
That now I am the ruler of the Queen’s Navee.
That pass examination did so well for he
That now he is the ruler of the Queen’s Navee.

Of legal knowledge I acquired such a grip
That they took me into the partnership,
And that junior partnership I ween
Was the only ship that I ever had seen.
Was the only ship that hre ever had seen.
But that kind of ship so suited me
That now I am the ruler of the Queen’s Navee.
But that kind of ship so suited he
That now he is the ruler of the Queen’s Navee.

I grew so rich that I was sent
By a pocket borough into Parliament.
I always voted at my party’s call,
And never thought of thinking for myself at all.
And never thought of thinking for himself at all.
I thought so little they rewarded me,
By making me the ruler of the Queen’s Navee.
He thought so little they rewarded he,
By making him the ruler of the Queen’s Navee.

Now landsmen all, whoever you may be,
If you want to rise to the top of the tree,
If your soul isn’t fettered to an office stool,
Be careful to be guided by this golden rule.
Be careful to be guided by this golden rule.
Stick close to your desks and never go to sea,
And you all may be rulers of the Queen’s Navee.
Stick close to your desks and never go to sea,
And you all may be rulers of the Queen’s Navee.