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You are here: > Iolanthe > > Act I
No. 12: SONG (Lord Chancellor)
"When I went to the bar "
| Lord Chancellor. |
When I went to the Bar as a very young man,
(Said I to myself — said I),
I'll work on a new and original plan,
(Said I to myself — said I),
I'll never assume that a rogue or a thief
Is a gentleman worthy implicit belief,
Because his attorney has sent me a brief,
(Said I to myself — said I).
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George Grossmith as The Lord Chancellor, 1882
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Martyn Green as The Lord Chancellor, 1930s
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Ere I go into court I will read my brief through
(Said I to myself — said I),
And I'll never take work I'm unable to do
(Said I to myself — said I),
My learned profession I'll never disgrace
By taking a fee with a grin on my face,
When I haven't been there to attend to the case
(Said I to myself — said I!). |
I'll never throw dust in a juryman's eyes
(Said I to myself — said I),
Or hoodwink a judge who is not over-wise
(Said I to myself — said I),
Or assume that the witnesses summoned in force
In Exchequer, Queen's Bench, Common Pleas, or Divorce,
Have perjured themselves as a matter of course
(Said I to myself — said I!). |
Peter Pratt as The Lord Chancellor, 1950s
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James Conroy-Ward as The Lord Chancellor, 1980
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In other professions in which men engage
(Said I to myself — said I),
The Army, the Navy, the Church, and the Stage
(Said I to myself — said I),
Professional licence, if carried too far,
Your chance of promotion will certainly mar —
And I fancy the rule might apply to the Bar
(Said I to myself — said I!). |
Exit Lord Chancellor.
This MIDI song file was originally sequenced by Colin Johnson.
Page Created
26 August, 2005
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