When I was a lad
I served a term
as an office boy
to an Attorney's firm
I cleaned the windows
and I swept the floor
and I polish'd up
the handle of the
big front door
He polish'd up
the handle of the
big front door
I polish'd up the handle
so carefully
that now I am the ruler
of the Queen's Navy!
He polish'd up the handle
so carefully
that now he is the ruler
of the Queen's Navy!
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 Navy!
He copied all the letters
in a hand so free
that now he is the ruler
of the Queen's Navy!
In serving writs
I made such a name
that an articled clerk
I soon became
I wore clean collars
and a bran' new suit
for the pass examination
of the Institute
For the pass examination
of the Institute
That pass examination
did so well for me
that now I am the ruler
of the Queen's Navy
That pass examination
did so well for he
that now he is the ruler
of the Queen's Navy!
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
he ever had seen
But that kind of ship
so suited me
that now I am the ruler
of the Queen's Navy
But that kind of ship
so suited he
that now he is the ruler
of the Queen's Navy
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 Navy
He thought so little
they rewarded he
by making him the ruler
of the Queen's Navy
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 Navy
Stick close to your desks
and never go to sea
and you all may be
rulers of the
Queen's Navy