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When I was a lad I sang this song,but alas, my back-up singers got things wrong!
On second thought, I think I'm not going to write a lyric-based introduction. Anyway, some people wondered when they were going to get to hear me sing, so here's my one real recording of myself. I sang this at a choral concert back in high school. Reasonably well sung to your ears, I hope, but I should like to think I've gotten RADICALLY better since then after I started taking things seriously with my voice.
The song, by the way, is "When I was a Lad" from W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore or The Lass That Loved a Sailor. This is just after the First Lord of the Admiralty, Sir Joseph Porter, K.C.B. arrives. He's completely unqualified to be running the navy, but that's politics for you. My two backup singers are supposed to be my sisters, cousins, and aunts. They're actually quite good in real life, but this was the first or second time they had gotten to see the music somehow. I should've just asked to borrow the whole choir.
Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it), you aren't able to see the visual aspect of the performance.
I'm going to regret posting this, aren't I? Oh well. Just don't shoot me. :)
On second thought, I think I'm not going to write a lyric-based introduction. Anyway, some people wondered when they were going to get to hear me sing, so here's my one real recording of myself. I sang this at a choral concert back in high school. Reasonably well sung to your ears, I hope, but I should like to think I've gotten RADICALLY better since then after I started taking things seriously with my voice.
The song, by the way, is "When I was a Lad" from W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore or The Lass That Loved a Sailor. This is just after the First Lord of the Admiralty, Sir Joseph Porter, K.C.B. arrives. He's completely unqualified to be running the navy, but that's politics for you. My two backup singers are supposed to be my sisters, cousins, and aunts. They're actually quite good in real life, but this was the first or second time they had gotten to see the music somehow. I should've just asked to borrow the whole choir.
Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it), you aren't able to see the visual aspect of the performance.
I'm going to regret posting this, aren't I? Oh well. Just don't shoot me. :)
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Lyrics
SONG -- SIR JOSEPH
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.
I polished up that handle so carefullee
That now I am the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!
CHORUS. -- He polished, etc.
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--
I copied all the letters in a hand so free,
That now I am the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!
CHORUS. -- He copied, etc.
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,
And that pass examination did so well for me,
That now I am the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!
CHORUS. -- And that pass examination, etc.
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.
But that kind of ship so suited me,
That now I am the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!
CHORUS. -- But that kind, etc.
I grew so rich that I was sent
By a pocket borough into Parliament.
I always voted at my party's call,
And I never thought of thinking for myself at all.
I thought so little, they rewarded me
By making me the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!
CHORUS. -- He thought so little, etc.
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--
Stick close to your desks and never go to sea,
And you all may be rulers of the Queen's Navee!
CHORUS. -- Stick close, etc.
drakonis
and I'm in awe... what a great voice you had, and wonderful accent and
diction. Wow... this is great! Faved!
ttfn,
Drakonis