Sung To The Tune “I Am The Ruler Of The Queen’s Navee” from Gilbert & Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore
Four bar intro
When I was a lad I went to war
As an air mechanic in the Flying Corps
I dished out dope, and I swung the prop,
And I polished up my talents in the fitters shop;
And I did my work so carefully
That now I’m a General at the Ministry.
******
As an air mechanic I made such a name,
A sergeant-major I soon became,
I wore a tunic and Sam Browne belt
And my prescence on parade was most acutely felt.
My prescence was felt so overwhelmingly
That now I’m the General at the Ministry.
******
As a sergeant-major I made such a hit
That I demanded further scope to do my bit;
Of my lofty ways there was never any doubt
And they sent me up in a Nieuport Scout,
I flew so well over land and sea
That now I’m the General at the Ministry.
******
I flew in France with such amazing zest
That the King grew tired of adorning my chest,
People boosted McCudden, Bishop and Ball,
But readily agreed that I out-soared them all.
My merits were declared so overwhelmingly
That now I’m a General at the Ministry.
******
So mechanics all, wherever you be,
If you want to climb to the top of the tree,
If your soul isn’t fettered to a pail of dope,
Just take my tip-there’s always hope,
Be smart in the strand at saluting me
And you’ll be General at the Ministry.
******
Repeat Last Verse