Chords for When I Was a Lad - HMS Pinafore

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_ [F] _ _ [Bb] _ _ _
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When I was a lad I served a term as [Bbm] office boy to an [G] attorney's firm.
I [Bb] cleaned the windows and I [Bbm] swept the floor, and [C] I polished up the handle of [F] the big front door.
He polished up the handle of the big front door.
[Bb] I polished up that handle so carefully, [Eb] but I am the [Bb] ruler of the queen's league.
He polished up the handle so carefully, but now he is the ruler of the rich. _ _ _ _
As office boy I served a term as office boy to an attorney's firm.
I made such a mark that they gave me the post of a Jew.
I served the writs with a [Bbm] smile so bland, and [C] I copied all the letters in [F] a big round hand.
He copied all the letters in a big round hand.
[Bb] I copied all the letters in a hand so [Eb] free, but now I am the [Bb] ruler of the queen's league.
He copied all the letters in a hand so free, but now he is the ruler of the queen's league. _ _ _
In serving writs I made such a name that an [Gm] article clerk I [G] soon became.
I [Bb] wore clean clothes and [Bbm] a brand new suit for [C] the pass examination [F] at the institute.
For the pass examination at the institute.
[Bb] That pass examination did so well for [Eb] me that now I am the [Bb] ruler of the queen's league.
That pass examination did so well for me that now he is the ruler of the queen's league. _ _ _
Of legal knowledge I acquired such a grip that the [Bbm] _
_ [G] _ _ [Bb] _ _ [Bbm]
Tywin was [C] the only ship [F] that I ever had seen.
Was the only ship he ever had [Bb] seen.
A fair kind of ship so suited [Eb] me that now I am the [Bb] ruler of the queen's league.
A fair kind of ship so suited me that now he is the ruler of the queen's league. _ _ _
I grew so rich that I was sent by a pocket [F] borough into parliament.
I [Bb] always voted at my party's [C] call, and I never thought of thinking [F] for myself at all.
He never thought of thinking for himself at all.
I thought so little, they rewarded me [Eb] by making me the ruler of [Bb] the queen's league.
He thought so little, they rewarded [Eb] me by making me the [Bb] ruler of the queen's league. _ _ _ _
Now landsmen all, whoever you may be, if you [Bbm] want to rise to the top of the tree,
if your [Bb] soul isn't fettered to [Bbm] an office stool, [C] be careful to be guided by [F] this golden rule.
Be careful to be guided by this golden rule.
Stick [Bb] close to your desks and never go to sea,
_ [Eb] and you all may be rulers of the queen's league.
Stick close to your desks and never go to sea,
and you all may be rulers of the queen's league. _ _ _
_ _ _ [Bb] _ _ _