When I Was a Lad - HMS Pinafore

The D'Oyly Carte Opera Company Performs Gilbert & Sullivan's The HMS Pinafore, or The Lass that Loved a Sailor

[sandienochs]

My Dad would walk around and sing this song really loud to wake us up in the morning. I sure miss that crazy old turd. I’m in my seventies, see ya soon buddy.

[josephpanzarella]

Before he became Kaiser Wilhelm II Germany's Prince Wilhelm had a private audience with Arthur Sullivan whose work he admired.
At the end of their formal meeting the prince got up to leave. Before he did, with his back to Sullivan, he sang:

"He polished up the handle of the big front door!"

leaving Sullivan in hysterics.

[matthewdaye]

I am wildly unqualified for this position!

[Elementlmage]

No song that is 120 years old has the right to be this relevant!

[steinway]

"I thought so little they rewarded me by making me the ruler of the Queen's Navy" is probably the best line of political critique I have ever heard.

[danielzylberkan]

This is a really, really smart critique of Victorian politics people don't give Gilbert enough credit for being a satirist

[Cinedragon]

I'm normally not into opera or light opera at all. But Gilbert and Sullivan manages to hook me right in. The lyrics are pretty difficult for a non-English person like me, but I do manage to understand the criticism and humor in them and I think that is really brilliant!

[gillwilkinsongw]

I never thought that G&S was for me until I saw HMS Pinafore at the Theatre Royal in Norwich. The opera company was the Carl Rosa, and it was probably one of the most enjoyable evenings I have ever had. It was truly awesome and has converted me overnight.

[jamesbrennan]

First heard this song on suite life of Zack and Cody when I was 8. Immediately fell in love with the song.

[vivr]

Nobody sang this better than John Reed. Thanks for posting.

[thegroovyhead]

Memories…oh how I miss my musician family. <pining>
My uncle sang opera, as did my brother, and I grew up hearing this one many, many times over. Intergenerational sound…such a gift.

[missnailbeauty]

Once I had a parakeet who seemed to love this and other overatures by gilbert and sullivan.  He must have been more intelligent than other birds. 

[youngarchivest]

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 carefullee
That now I am the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!
(He polished up that handle so carefullee,
That now he is 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!
(He copied all the letters in a hand so free,
That now he is 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 passed examination at the Institute.
(For the passed examination at the Institute.)
That passed examination did so well for me,
That now I am the Ruler of the Queen's Navee!
(That passed 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 he 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 I never thought of thinking for myself at all.
(He 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!)

[Pre]

This song still speaks the truth even after over a hundred years!

[awesomegreenlantern]

I once was on a jury and this song came to mind when I thought of one of the lawyers. He lost. It was a family practice. I almost sang this song for him. But I wussed out. I'm sad I didn't.

[Ratboy]

My late father had this very record. It puts me in mind of a TV commercial for a car yard, around 1972 ... " When I was a lad I served a term, winding back the clocks for a used car firm, I covered up the rust with a coat of grey, and fiddled with the steering of a Chevrolet " Cool.

[_QWERTY__]

So, funny story, I got here from worf, picard, and data singing "A British Tar" and I wanted to hear the rest of the performance. Amazing!!!

[starbug]

I first heard this when I was a kid. THIS WAS MY FIRST GILBERT AND SULLIVAN SONG. ^_^

[awesomewonderful]

but did he eat 4 dozen eggs to help him get large

[manfredatee]

It's on YouTube somewhere, the whole 1978 Pinafore TV movie. It's really nice.