I think that was the original innuendo at the time. First verse implied sleeping his way to the top, second verse implied falsifying papers to the top and so on.
If you have no idea what you’re doing you can screw up with a confidence that tells everybody else that don’t know what they are doing, that you must know what’s going on and so you rise to the top
Ahem.... When I was a lad I served a shift As apprentice to a Lord of the Sith I studied the Force and the holocrons Of Plagueis and the midichlorians (He studied Plagueis and the midichlorians) I studied the Force so carefully That now I am the ruler of the Clone Army As apprentice of the Sith I learned That power craved must soon be earned I studied long and played the fool Then challenged my Master to final duel (He challenged his master to final duel) I challenged my master so ironically That now I am the ruler of the Clone Army As senator of Naboo I made Inquiries into a trade blockade Behind the scenes as a Sith Lord dreamed A thousand year old vengeance scheme (A thousand year old vengeance scheme) The scheme was planned so thoroughly That I became the ruler of the Clone Army As senator I made such a name That chancellor I soon became As more and more planets broke away The Separatists declared war that day (The Separatists declared war that day) Emergency powers were awarded me And now I am the ruler of the Clone Army As chancellor I watched the spree of war spread across the galaxy The clones and droids, the battles waged Were all the battles that I had staged (Were all the battles that he had staged) I staged the battles so tactically That now I am the ruler of both armies The Jedi came, "It's treason then!" They fell at my blade, all but Anakin He pledged himself upon his knees The last apprentice that I ever would need (The last apprentice that he ever would need) To bring order and peace to the galaxy That's why I was the ruler of the Clone Army Episode IX Edit: For twenty years and four years more I ruled the galaxy as Emperor Till Vader in parental draft Threw me into a reactor shaft (He threw him into a reactor shaft) But death would not be the last of me That's why I am the ruler of a NEW army...
The moral of this ghastly version is, have a pop at Pauline Hanson and there'll be another well-paid role available at any other Sydney or Melbourne theatre when the run of HMS Pinafore is over.
The whole song is a satire on the fact that "the ruler of the Queen's navee" (or First Lord of the Admiralty) was a cabinet position in which someone with zero naval experience could be put in charge of one of the world's most powerful navies. One such was W H Smith (yes, the bookseller) who became an MP and later on First Lord - and was forever nicknamed "Pinafore Smith"
Yes, but Churchill had some Military experience...Lt. in North West Frontier, Cavalry at Omdurman ( Sudan) War correspondent Boer War and Brigade Cmdr in France ( after Gallipoli Debacle). Whilst not Naval, he had experience ( in combat) of leading Men.
I love how the extras are all so enthusiastic and sing their callbacks with such happiness while the Captain's like "Getting real tired of your shit, buddy!" I don't know why but I think that's just awesome!
Wonderful stuff! Dripping with cynicism. The character is based on a real life person: William Henry Smith, a bookseller who had never been to sea in his life but was appointed First Lord of The Admiralty. He threatened G & S with a libel action :-)
Hruaia Chawngthu not necessarily - Winston Churchill was once First Lord of the Admiralty and neither served in the Royal Navy or was particularly well “acquainted” with the sea.
My Dad used to sing this to me when I was a little girl. I'd remembered the first verses, the partnership being the first ship he'd ever seen and the "Stick close to your desk and never go to sea and you all may be rulers of the Queen's Navy." But I'd totally forgotten: "I always voted at my party's call, I never thought of thinking for myself at all. I thought so little they rewarded me by making me the ruler of the Queen's Navy." I was actually laughing.
I know this is late, but... according to other comments this is Drew Forsythe of Australia, in an Australian national tour by Essgee Entertainment in 1997.@@theslof1
In Napoleonic times it was common to have women on board ie-prostitutes but also some wives . The expression " to shake a leg" comes from checking the hammocks to if the men were up by shaking a leg to see if it was female.
@@alejandrorivas4585 its a stage production, everything needs to be acted over the top for people toward the back to see it. Also its a satirical performance from the 19th century.
@@alansbinnie1446 They chose talented actors, most of whom were not well-known stars and did not command high fees, and to whom they could teach a more naturalistic style of performance than was commonly used at the time. They then tailored their work to the particular abilities of these performers.[6] The skill with which Gilbert and Sullivan used their performers had an effect on the audience; as critic Herman Klein wrote: "we secretly marvelled at the naturalness and ease with which [the Gilbertian quips and absurdities] were said and done. For until then no living soul had seen upon the stage such weird, eccentric, yet intensely human beings. ... [They] conjured into existence a hitherto unknown comic world of sheer delight." You fucked up
Notchinham Habsburgs are a royal family which, to put it bluntly, we’re really inbred. While the Skeksis are a really ugly-looking alien species(sorry dark crystal fans I don’t watch the show.)
@@eccoeco3454 A sweet old horrible man! That's hilarious! I think it also looks like he just got away with cutting a massive fart. That actor was hilarious!
Some of Guilbert and Sullivan's work has not withstood the test of time. Then there's bits of it like this that make me cry, because I think of the politicians in my own country and how this pretty much describes all of them...
@@LarryH54 "Laugh-In" could be cyclical in nature. I remember watching reruns as a teenager in the late 1980s, and they seem to hit home then, in the waning years of the Reagan Era. We just need another top-level Republican president and those jokes will come back into vogue. Trick is actually finding a great Republican. Good luck. >.
It's a Gilbert and Sullivan opera. From Gilbert and Sullivan, you can expect high comedy, humorous political parody and lots and lots of songs you can whistle along with. I don't know about romantic drama - this stands as one of the funniest pieces of British culture in comedic history.
@@aycc-nbh7289 Eric Idle portrayed a similar role, the comedic lead of Ko-Ko (the Lord High Executioner), in a televised version of The Mikado back in the 80s. Fairly sure it's on here somewhere.
Remember as kid in the 70s getting dragged along by my parents each year to watch a G&S opera put on by a local operatic society. Didnt appreciate it at the time but love it now!
Indy Jones' Egyptian friend sings a bit of this in one scene. The script writers included such a line to show the vast influence of the British Empire on the world, I would say.
I would say that he also sings it in reference to the Nazis digging in the wrong spot. Singing this song comparing the incompetence of the Nazis to the ruler of the queens navy.
The actor playing Sir Joseph here does a stellar job, playing him as very wily, calculating and crafty, yet bumbling, stumbling and incompetent in an almost farcical way. Promoted due to an unfailingly ingratiating manner towards his superiors and with pompous bravado and egotism over those he considers his inferiors. It all comes out in this caricaturization. Conveys perfectly the idea that this guy was NOT promoted because of his intelligence, competence and deservingness!! Cleverly done. Supporting cast performance is excellent as well
"When I was a lad I served my term winding back the clocks for a used car firm. I covered up the rust with a coat of grey I fiddled with the steering of a Chevrolet" Chorus: "He fiddled with the steering of a Chevrolet" "I fiddled with the steering so very hard I soon became the owner of a used car yard" Chorus: "He fiddled with the steering so very hard he soon became the owner of a used car yard" "But now my yard is empty all day, people come but they all go away they go where used cars are the best where cars get over a hundred checks" Chorus: "Where cars get over a hundred checks" "With Ellers deals theres no use fighting 'cos Ellers put the guarantees in writing" Chorus: "John Ellers deals you cannot fight Ellers put the guarantees in black and white" (oom pa, oom pa, oom pa pa)
I have a new appreciation for this song now that I got a big salary job because I'm Good At Taking Notes and Being Organized. It's really who you know.
This is the best performance of the song I have seen. You can clearly tell he is channeling Rowan Atkinson aka Mr. Bean in some of his moments in this song too. Who agrees?
@@jimcrawford5039 They don't mean the role, they mean the performance. This particular actors interpretation is reminiscent of Bean. Kinda...Maybe when Bean is an old man.
Jim Crawford This production was filmed in 1997 and Mr. Bean was filmed between 1990 and 1995, so the timeline actually fits perfectly in terms of what the actor in HMS Pinafore might have been thinking when preparing the role.
@@laurenconrad1799 "fits perfectly" and "might have been" don't actually fit perfectly because it might have been nothing of the sort in fact. All you've had is conjecture. Let's stick to the facts. It will be better that way. You might think otherwise but you had better think more carefully than that.
I love this masterpiece! The characters, songs and comedy! It's a heaven sent And the way he says "The Queen's Navy"! 😈 Almost like he's got all the power in the world. And worked so little for it
Havent had such a pleasant couple of hours (with all my clothes on) for many years. Wonderful renditions with all the best of our Gilbertians. Thank you.
This was the first musical that I ever got to see in a theater! I'd go with ny stepmom, who was volunteering behind the curtain, for whatever! I always just sat in the mostly empty audience and read my books,bor played with tarot cards, or whatever eleven year old me did back then! My dad would always come and get me, when he got off work! And usually that was about Intermission/break time! So, when I went to see the entire play, on opening night, it hadn't been spoiled for me! I probably didn't fully "get it" as young as I was! But I'd love to go see the entire thing! I love the way that this guy plays his character! The strut alone, slays me! 😹😹😹
You know you go your whole life thinking opera is lame. Then you hear a song like this and your like yeah this still sounds lame. Then you've listened to it a hundred times and catch your self humming it and your like. Ah thats why they are considered geniuses. I want to see this.
It's at the extreme "light" end of operetta. No recitative, they bridge between songs with talking; the nature music is much less 'serious', and the stories less melodrama. Not to mention that G&S is actually almost all humorous ('comic' opera isn't always 'comic' in the sense of funny, it's more a graphic novel where an actual opera would be say Catcher in the Rye). To say 'it's opera' is like saying a West End musical is opera. No, it ain't, not except by the loosest possible definition. And even then...
My first contact with Gilbert & Sullivan. I am delighted! Being german Sir Joseph reminds me of a very comical version of our "Alter Fritz", king of Prussia. Hilarious!
When I first saw him I thought it was Harry Enfield but very soon realised that it wasn’t. Have always loved this one of G&S what a wonderful performance most enjoyable. Thank you 🇬🇧 8/ jan /21
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, I polished up that handle so carefullee That now I am 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, I copied all the letters in a hand so free That now I am 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 pass examination at the Institute, And that pass examination did so well for me That now I am 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, But that kind of ship so suited me That now I am 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, I thought so little, they rewarded me By making me 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 Stick close to your desks and never go to sea, And you all may be rulers of the Queen's Navee!
My god, this is the song Sallah quoted just as he and Indy determined that the Nazis were digging in the wrong place. ...and then he went on to quote "A British tar is a soaring soul" after he, Indy, and Marion parted ways.
I am here for a mixture of reasons which largely include Sideshow Bob singing the entire score of the HMS Pinafore and Stewie Griffin singing that he's the best captain of the Queen's Navy
'When I Was A Lad' starts at 1:30 : 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 carefully That now I am the Ruler of the Queen's Navy! (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!) I learned some tricks from the Ipswich witch, if you want to win a vote, scratch a bigot's itch. Said the Oxley moron, "let's breed bunyips", they say her face had launched a thousand fish and chips (they say her face had launched a thousand fish and chips) One eye like Nelson, that's the trick you see, That's why I am still the ruler of the Queen's Navee! (One eye like Nelson, that's the trick you see, That's why he is 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!)
I learnt some tricks from the Ipswich witch - If you want to win on votes scratch a bigot's itch. Said the Oxley moron we'll breed bunyips They say her face launched a thousand fish and chips! They say her face launched a thousand fish and chips! One eye like Nelson, that's the trick you see, That's why I am the ruler of the Queen's Navee! One eye like Nelson, that's the trick you see, That's why he is the ruler of the Queen's Navee!]
@@151eg Thank you! Now I've filled in what I think is right. But what does Oxley and bunyip mean, I don't know. To me a lot seems understood only to those knowing British naval history.
He cuts a great figure as a bent, little, bandy-legged, pot-bellied pen-pusher, he looks like an Arthur Rackham drawing of Scrooge but more evilly pleased with himself.
Nowadays if someone were to follow a path in the manner Sir Joseph, it would be called networking, and plays a result in a majority of higher level positions. In summary, this guy is probably a LOT like your boss
Indy: Get us a transport back to England. Boat, plane, anything. Then meet me at Omar's, be ready for me. I'm goin' after that truck. Sallah: How? Indy: I don't know, I'm making this up as I go. (Proceeds to give one of the greatest chase scenes in cinema.)
pclmusic40 thank you so much it makes so much more sense and adds a whole new layer to the song. Such biting criticism and the audience laughter makes sense to. Thank you these are the sort of cultural references that are hard to understand without an interpreter.
This is possibly the best true performance of how the character should actually be portrayed, "that I ever did see". Thanks so much for this! Is there more info on this performance, or did I miss it? Thank you again!
This performance is from back in 1997, I went to see it with my senior music class. It was the last of 3 done by this company, Pirates of Penzance then Mikado then this. I think this performance was recorded in New Zealand, but written (i.e. edited/updated) & performed by Australians. I can still enjoy it, but some of the quips need updating for the next generation to get the same pleasure from it.
This production found a sensible way to save money. In the play as written, there is a HUGE chorus of girls and women, of widely varying ages and body types, who accompany Sir Joseph singing the refrain "And we are his sisters and his cousins and his aunts". As this clip shows, one of each does just fine.
This song confirms what many of us have long suspected: That success at being promoted usually requires one to be a good knob polisher.
Penis funny
@randall2020 Not what. Who.
I think that was the original innuendo at the time. First verse implied sleeping his way to the top, second verse implied falsifying papers to the top and so on.
It's who you know and who you blow gets you where you want to go.
If you have no idea what you’re doing you can screw up with a confidence that tells everybody else that don’t know what they are doing, that you must know what’s going on and so you rise to the top
good to see emperor palpatine has some cultured history.
I laughed more than i should have
More like Jim Carry
Ahem....
When I was a lad I served a shift
As apprentice to a Lord of the Sith
I studied the Force and the holocrons
Of Plagueis and the midichlorians
(He studied Plagueis and the midichlorians)
I studied the Force so carefully
That now I am the ruler of the Clone Army
As apprentice of the Sith I learned
That power craved must soon be earned
I studied long and played the fool
Then challenged my Master to final duel
(He challenged his master to final duel)
I challenged my master so ironically
That now I am the ruler of the Clone Army
As senator of Naboo I made
Inquiries into a trade blockade
Behind the scenes as a Sith Lord dreamed
A thousand year old vengeance scheme
(A thousand year old vengeance scheme)
The scheme was planned so thoroughly
That I became the ruler of the Clone Army
As senator I made such a name
That chancellor I soon became
As more and more planets broke away
The Separatists declared war that day
(The Separatists declared war that day)
Emergency powers were awarded me
And now I am the ruler of the Clone Army
As chancellor I watched the spree
of war spread across the galaxy
The clones and droids, the battles waged
Were all the battles that I had staged
(Were all the battles that he had staged)
I staged the battles so tactically
That now I am the ruler of both armies
The Jedi came, "It's treason then!"
They fell at my blade, all but Anakin
He pledged himself upon his knees
The last apprentice that I ever would need
(The last apprentice that he ever would need)
To bring order and peace to the galaxy
That's why I was the ruler of the Clone Army
Episode IX Edit:
For twenty years and four years more
I ruled the galaxy as Emperor
Till Vader in parental draft
Threw me into a reactor shaft
(He threw him into a reactor shaft)
But death would not be the last of me
That's why I am the ruler of a NEW army...
@@gfh110 And to think that if I stumbled upon this video a day earlier, I'd probably never see this masterpiece
@@gfh110 This alone almost makes up for Disney buying Star Wars.
Brava!
Moral of the story: Stick close to your desk and never go to sea and you all may be rulers of the queens navy.
The moral of this ghastly version is, have a pop at Pauline Hanson and there'll be another well-paid role available at any other Sydney or Melbourne theatre when the run of HMS Pinafore is over.
@@WilliamSmith-mx6ze what is the story behind this version? I am not an English native speaker so this is new to me.
If I were the ruler of the queen’s I could call the sailors my little seamen
I did that but guess I was in the wrong Navy!RM3
@@recordgames153 tee hee!
Between this and the Major General, is there anyone in this military that knows what they're doing?
Not if you ask Willy Gilbert
Clearly not!
In reality both the Major General and the Admiral are based on real people.
That's why it's called satire! Poking fun at the establishment.
HAhaha. Pretty much no, at least not among the officers.
The whole song is a satire on the fact that "the ruler of the Queen's navee" (or First Lord of the Admiralty) was a cabinet position in which someone with zero naval experience could be put in charge of one of the world's most powerful navies. One such was W H Smith (yes, the bookseller) who became an MP and later on First Lord - and was forever nicknamed "Pinafore Smith"
That was exactly Churchill's position! At least he was close at hand when England needed him.
Yes, but Churchill had some Military experience...Lt. in North West Frontier, Cavalry at Omdurman ( Sudan) War correspondent Boer War and Brigade Cmdr in France ( after Gallipoli Debacle).
Whilst not Naval, he had experience ( in combat) of leading Men.
It is of the uttermost importance in the UK constitution that the military are under the direct control of civilians.
It seems broader than that.
@@brianletter3545 "be" not 'are'
I love how the extras are all so enthusiastic and sing their callbacks with such happiness while the Captain's like "Getting real tired of your shit, buddy!" I don't know why but I think that's just awesome!
Wonderful stuff! Dripping with cynicism. The character is based on a real life person: William Henry Smith, a bookseller who had never been to sea in his life but was appointed First Lord of The Admiralty. He threatened G & S with a libel action :-)
First Lord of the Admiralty is generally a civilian position. The military top post of the British Navy is referred to as First Sea Lord.
@@briancooper4959 But one still has to be quite acquainted with the sea.
@@briancooper4959 damn that's a fuckin badass title
@@SuPeRHeRoDuDe3124 It's up there with Planetary Protection Officer (NASA) and Supreme Allied Commander (NATO)
Hruaia Chawngthu not necessarily - Winston Churchill was once First Lord of the Admiralty and neither served in the Royal Navy or was particularly well “acquainted” with the sea.
I love his face whenever he says "ruler of the Queens' Navy". It's hilarious.
It's so mischievous and smug!
Meow Chloe! He'd make a good Ferengi for sure! :)
Same lol. Epic.
@@MatthewBluefox Or Admiral Jellicoe 😄😃
@@LGranthamsHeir Jellie was really bad though! :)
My Dad used to sing this to me when I was a little girl. I'd remembered the first verses, the partnership being the first ship he'd ever seen and the "Stick close to your desk and never go to sea and you all may be rulers of the Queen's Navy." But I'd totally forgotten: "I always voted at my party's call, I never thought of thinking for myself at all. I thought so little they rewarded me by making me the ruler of the Queen's Navy." I was actually laughing.
Gilbert took another pop at Politicians voting as they were told to in Iolanthe'.
Beautiful memory! My dad introduced me to this too and his dad showed him,
But who is this marvelous performer? I’ve searched the internet in vain!
I know this is late, but... according to other comments this is Drew Forsythe of Australia, in an Australian national tour by Essgee Entertainment in 1997.@@theslof1
Having a woman on a ship at sea, is not good luck and they've got three. And now he is the ruler of the queen's nay-vee
cristopher wong nae
Frightful bad luck for women at sea, now he is the ruler of the Queens Navy.
I didn't know the Queen acquired sovereignty of Pandora's people.
In Napoleonic times it was common to have women on board ie-prostitutes but also some wives . The expression " to shake a leg" comes from checking the hammocks to if the men were up by shaking a leg to see if it was female.
But it's his sister, his cousin, and aunt, lol!!!
That guy should teach physical acting, he has clearly mastered it.
In all truth, I think its a bit overacted, but its definitely a very talented performance
@@alejandrorivas4585if you look up the full esgees production of this, it’s very over acted
@@alejandrorivas4585 It's a campy performance so overacting is the norm -- brilliantly done, if you ask me.
@@alejandrorivas4585 its a stage production, everything needs to be acted over the top for people toward the back to see it.
Also its a satirical performance from the 19th century.
I love how Palpatine went full goblin mode when playing this character 😂.
Either the older guy is really eccentric, extremely talented or COMPLETELY insane. Or all 3 in one. Either way, it works.
If he's anything like the actors I've know, it's definitely all three
"That infernal nonsense pinafore"
Looks like they got on the shared universe fad pretty early.
Very good - I think this is exactly how G&S wanted Admiral Smith to be portrayed, and why Queen Victoria was so offended by it....
Gilbert would have loathed it.
@@alansbinnie1446 Why you think so?
@@alansbinnie1446 They chose talented actors, most of whom were not well-known stars and did not command high fees, and to whom they could teach a more naturalistic style of performance than was commonly used at the time. They then tailored their work to the particular abilities of these performers.[6] The skill with which Gilbert and Sullivan used their performers had an effect on the audience; as critic Herman Klein wrote: "we secretly marvelled at the naturalness and ease with which [the Gilbertian quips and absurdities] were said and done. For until then no living soul had seen upon the stage such weird, eccentric, yet intensely human beings. ... [They] conjured into existence a hitherto unknown comic world of sheer delight."
You fucked up
@@Spikeelsucko This is closer to how they would have done it (from the Proms so not a full set etc though czcams.com/video/BrPEFIOOHiU/video.html)
@@Spikeelsucko For a staged performance, this is much closer to what G&S intended czcams.com/video/Ow2jWKhVErg/video.html
...it's the unholy love child of a Hapsburg and a Skeksis
You win the internet, Sir, Ma'am or Other.
Please explain the joke.
Notchinham Habsburgs are a royal family which, to put it bluntly, we’re really inbred. While the Skeksis are a really ugly-looking alien species(sorry dark crystal fans I don’t watch the show.)
@@Batigol500 There were two branches of the family, the Spaniards with too much chin and the Austrians with too much forehead.
mmmMMMMmmm time to make his move, and become the ruler of the queen's navy
His face when he's says "queens navy"🤣🤣
He finds in reminding himself that and to gloat about it such great joy!
such a sweet old horrible man!
@@eccoeco3454 A sweet old horrible man! That's hilarious! I think it also looks like he just got away with cutting a massive fart. That actor was hilarious!
A masterclass in physical acting. Like an actual political caricature of the time come to life. Incredible.
Some of Guilbert and Sullivan's work has not withstood the test of time. Then there's bits of it like this that make me cry, because I think of the politicians in my own country and how this pretty much describes all of them...
Political jokes will always stand the test of time because it is always about politicians.
Which bits don't stand the test of time?
@@olstar18 Try watching 'Laugh in' reruns. Definitely did NOT stand the test of time.
@@LarryH54 "Laugh-In" could be cyclical in nature. I remember watching reruns as a teenager in the late 1980s, and they seem to hit home then, in the waning years of the Reagan Era. We just need another top-level Republican president and those jokes will come back into vogue.
Trick is actually finding a great Republican. Good luck. >.
Yet, W.S. Gilbert has been noted by many, such as Oscar Hammerstein II and Alan J. Learner, as the best and most talented lyricist in musical history.
If you saw modern major general earlier this week because it popped up on your recommendation page. You also got this on your recommendation page
i mean kinda but yes
It's a Gilbert and Sullivan opera.
From Gilbert and Sullivan, you can expect high comedy, humorous political parody and lots and lots of songs you can whistle along with.
I don't know about romantic drama - this stands as one of the funniest pieces of British culture in comedic history.
So does this explain why it sounds like it could have been a Monty Python sketch?
@@aycc-nbh7289 Eric Idle portrayed a similar role, the comedic lead of Ko-Ko (the Lord High Executioner), in a televised version of The Mikado back in the 80s. Fairly sure it's on here somewhere.
My first and only exposure to this song was in "Raiders of the Lost Ark". And now this . . .
I've heard it in the opening of the movie slappy and the stinkers😃
Remember as kid in the 70s getting dragged along by my parents each year to watch a G&S opera put on by a local operatic society. Didnt appreciate it at the time but love it now!
*playing sea of thieves* "I am the monarch of the sea, ruler of the queens navy!"
The brilliant and gifted Drew Forsythe defining the role!
Absolutely agreed! Brilliant take on the character. Most likely the way G&S intended. Stole the show.
Oh that's who it is, had to look him up, he reminds me of Harry Enfield a bit
@@davidosilverman900 I thought exactly the same.
@@Smokr Someone else mentioned the writers intended most of their roles to be played in a "naturalistc" way
but... but... not Harry Enfield?? damn...
Indy Jones' Egyptian friend sings a bit of this in one scene. The script writers included such a line to show the vast influence of the British Empire on the world, I would say.
Bad dates.
"They're digging in the wrong place!"
I would say that he also sings it in reference to the Nazis digging in the wrong spot. Singing this song comparing the incompetence of the Nazis to the ruler of the queens navy.
The actor playing Sir Joseph here does a stellar job, playing him as very wily, calculating and crafty, yet bumbling, stumbling and incompetent in an almost farcical way. Promoted due to an unfailingly ingratiating manner towards his superiors and with pompous bravado and egotism over those he considers his inferiors. It all comes out in this caricaturization. Conveys perfectly the idea that this guy was NOT promoted because of his intelligence, competence and deservingness!! Cleverly done. Supporting cast performance is excellent as well
That's Drew Forsythe, you can also enjoy his performance as Ko-ko, the Lord High Executioner, in EssGee's rendition of the Mikado
I will be sure to check him out
"When I was a lad
I served my term
winding back the clocks
for a used car firm.
I covered up the rust with a coat of grey
I fiddled with the steering of a Chevrolet"
Chorus: "He fiddled with the steering of a Chevrolet"
"I fiddled with the steering so very hard
I soon became the owner of a used car yard"
Chorus: "He fiddled with the steering so very hard
he soon became the owner of a used car yard"
"But now my yard is empty all day,
people come but they all go away
they go where used cars are the best
where cars get over a hundred checks"
Chorus: "Where cars get over a hundred checks"
"With Ellers deals theres no use fighting
'cos Ellers put the guarantees in writing"
Chorus: "John Ellers deals you cannot fight
Ellers put the guarantees in black and white" (oom pa, oom pa, oom pa pa)
Lmao I read this everytime I see this video, and now I consider it art
amazing!
Wow. this is like Drive-by Truckers does Gilbert and Sullivan. Amazing.
Man, Hamilton looks great.
Boxless Thinking SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!! HAMILTON IS AMAZING YOU REPUBLICAN TRUMP LOVER!!!!!!
Plz calm down
Laffy Taffy it’s a joke making fun of musical nerds
@@anthonyrando6447 hey it's your favourite king
Boooo
This guy looks an awful lot like Montgomery Burns.
Mr Burns, Ha ha, True!
+Rana Mahmood By God, I think you've got it !
He really look like Sideshow Bob impersonnating Mr. Burns! Wonder why that song never made it to that montage when he sang it to Bart! :D
Silence!! or i will crush you like this paper cup. "can't crush paper cup."
Smithers!!!!
That grin/smile he does reminds me of "Beavis" :) LOL
A great performance by the brilliant Australian actor, Drew Forsythe!
I have a new appreciation for this song now that I got a big salary job because I'm Good At Taking Notes and Being Organized. It's really who you know.
This is the best performance of the song I have seen. You can clearly tell he is channeling Rowan Atkinson aka Mr. Bean in some of his moments in this song too. Who agrees?
DoctorTerminus this was way before Mr Bean.
@@jimcrawford5039 They don't mean the role, they mean the performance. This particular actors interpretation is reminiscent of Bean. Kinda...Maybe when Bean is an old man.
Jim Crawford This production was filmed in 1997 and Mr. Bean was filmed between 1990 and 1995, so the timeline actually fits perfectly in terms of what the actor in HMS Pinafore might have been thinking when preparing the role.
I got part Mr. Burns, part Jim Carrey's take on the Grinch, and a bit of pantomime horse.
@@laurenconrad1799 "fits perfectly" and "might have been" don't actually fit perfectly because it might have been nothing of the sort in fact. All you've had is conjecture. Let's stick to the facts. It will be better that way. You might think otherwise but you had better think more carefully than that.
His Sister and his Cousin and his Aunt... the true stars ✨
I love this masterpiece! The characters, songs and comedy! It's a heaven sent
And the way he says "The Queen's Navy"! 😈
Almost like he's got all the power in the world. And worked so little for it
it amazes me how precise they get the movement/choreography synced with the music
Yes! His ridiculous high steps perfectly timed to the tempo of the song. Amazing!
Twelve weeks of rehearsal, endless rehearsal, helps greatly!
When I look at the Monarch's face and hands I am reminded of The Emperor from Star Wars. Now I'm just picturing him singing campy opera to me... lol.
He is the senate.
Stovepipe Hat not yet
It’s treason, then
And now I'm the ruler of the whole galaxy... Somebody could do a parody
Also Mr.Burns.
Havent had such a pleasant couple of hours (with all my clothes on) for many years. Wonderful renditions with all the best of our Gilbertians. Thank you.
This was the first musical that I ever got to see in a theater! I'd go with ny stepmom, who was volunteering behind the curtain, for whatever! I always just sat in the mostly empty audience and read my books,bor played with tarot cards, or whatever eleven year old me did back then! My dad would always come and get me, when he got off work! And usually that was about Intermission/break time! So, when I went to see the entire play, on opening night, it hadn't been spoiled for me! I probably didn't fully "get it" as young as I was! But I'd love to go see the entire thing! I love the way that this guy plays his character! The strut alone, slays me! 😹😹😹
Gilbert and Sullivan's version of "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying"! Ha! Ha! Love it!
If only I had gotten this advice when I was younger, I could be near “the top” by now... 😢
That depends. Do you really want to be "ruler of the Queen's Nav-ee?"
god why am i addicted to this, sir joseph is such a fascinating character to watch
Can we get a rap battle between The Ruler of the Queen's Navy and the Very Model of a Modern Major General?
You know you go your whole life thinking opera is lame. Then you hear a song like this and your like yeah this still sounds lame. Then you've listened to it a hundred times and catch your self humming it and your like. Ah thats why they are considered geniuses. I want to see this.
You really need to hear John Reed: he was a million times better than this guy.
Ross B sorry bro, this isn't opera. It's good stuff to be sure, but opera it is not.
H.M.S. Pinafore; or, The Lass That Loved a Sailor is a comic opera in two acts, with music by Arthur Sullivan and a libretto by W. S. Gilbert
Sorry indeed: it's an opera.
It's at the extreme "light" end of operetta. No recitative, they bridge between songs with talking; the nature music is much less 'serious', and the stories less melodrama. Not to mention that G&S is actually almost all humorous ('comic' opera isn't always 'comic' in the sense of funny, it's more a graphic novel where an actual opera would be say Catcher in the Rye).
To say 'it's opera' is like saying a West End musical is opera. No, it ain't, not except by the loosest possible definition. And even then...
I just love this rendition of “Monarch...” well done to the cast and Mr Forsyth.
By far the best performance to be found on CZcams!
Cracking. Saw a version in a park in Liverpool. My friend's late dad loved Gilbert and Sullivan. Now I do. Never too old to learn
Anthem of incompetent bureaucrats everywhere.
prayerpatroller The hymn of my people :)
Or rather, competant bureaucrats who make poor admirals.
My first contact with Gilbert & Sullivan. I am delighted! Being german Sir Joseph reminds me of a very comical version of our "Alter Fritz", king of Prussia.
Hilarious!
Lulz, it's too bad they never made a play about him. I'm sure it would have been wonderful. :)
I've been watching this production since it came out and only just realised they changed the words at 3:40 to be about Pauline Hanson
When I first saw him I thought it was Harry Enfield but very soon realised that it wasn’t. Have always loved this one of G&S what a wonderful performance most enjoyable. Thank you 🇬🇧 8/ jan /21
Bravo; Thank you for a fine performance...G & S would be most proud.
I’ve enjoyed this song so much I think I’ve watched 20 different versions. And in my humble uneducated opinion this is by far the best!
Very perspicacious of you.
3:15 a visual representation of the testicle readjustment walk.
Excellent rendition, probably the best. The character plays it to perfection!
One thing hasn't changed since 1870; our governments are still plagued by swarms of mediocre and spineless lawyers.
stop being realistic and just listen to the music
@@medicmain6615 The music is satirical and trying to make a point, one that is still relevant over 100 years later.
So... no.
This is the first versions done by Essgee using both New Zealand and Australian performers, I have this on DVD
My grandpapa did such a great job in this performance
I have never seen a Broadway musical but this makes me really want to see one
BEST interpretation I have ever seen, and I watched this one at least 12 times now
I never really realized when I was younger, how hilarious this stuff is!
Friggin brilliant, and what a performance
Definitely the best performance of this I’ve seen so far!
i usually don’t like opera, but i absolutely love this operetta, the songs are all absolute bangers
Top 10 rappers The Modern Major General is too afraid to diss.
this is the version i've always watched, along with their version of the Mikado and Pirates of Penzance which I have loved since i was young.
No wonder Gilbert was never knighted. His sarcasm's excoriating!
If only the us navy listened
@@donquixote3927 LOL - I served in the RCN for 13 years - it's as accurate now as it was then!
The best ever. . . So brilliant!!!!!!!!
welcome to another episode of the youtube algorithm
The monarch of the sea has a royal errection.
he is too old to form one
His pants, dissprove you assertion; Or is't a sock.
Back then there was a very odd piece of clothing called a cod piece.
It's his sister, cousin and aunts.......fault
I think it's a hernia
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,
I polished up that handle so carefullee
That now I am 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,
I copied all the letters in a hand so free
That now I am 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 pass examination at the Institute,
And that pass examination did so well for me
That now I am 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,
But that kind of ship so suited me
That now I am 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,
I thought so little, they rewarded me
By making me 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
Stick close to your desks and never go to sea,
And you all may be rulers of the Queen's Navee!
You are the spine of youtube,
You deserve praise.
My god, this is the song Sallah quoted just as he and Indy determined that the Nazis were digging in the wrong place.
...and then he went on to quote "A British tar is a soaring soul" after he, Indy, and Marion parted ways.
That was the song? I guess I was distracted by the dead monkey.
I feel a sense of joy especially at 1:17
When there coming down the stairs and and they sing that part
I’ve finally found the origin of Sallah’s favourite song!
0:26---The velociraptors are loose!
I am here for a mixture of reasons which largely include Sideshow Bob singing the entire score of the HMS Pinafore and Stewie Griffin singing that he's the best captain of the Queen's Navy
I’ve watched this 15 times in the last day
Delightful rendition!
Thank you for posting.
My Dad died before my Eyes. He loved this.loved it. Lucky me so do eye.
You laugh at him, but will you ever be the monarch of the sea?
no sadly
'When I Was A Lad' starts at 1:30 :
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 carefully
That now I am the Ruler of the Queen's Navy!
(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!)
I learned some tricks from the Ipswich witch,
if you want to win a vote, scratch a bigot's itch.
Said the Oxley moron, "let's breed bunyips",
they say her face had launched a thousand fish and chips
(they say her face had launched a thousand fish and chips)
One eye like Nelson, that's the trick you see,
That's why I am still the ruler of the Queen's Navee!
(One eye like Nelson, that's the trick you see,
That's why he is 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!)
Said the oxely moron, "let's breed bunyips", they say her face had launched a thousand fish and chils
I learnt some tricks from the Ipswich witch -
If you want to win on votes scratch a bigot's itch.
Said the Oxley moron we'll breed bunyips
They say her face launched a thousand fish and chips!
They say her face launched a thousand fish and chips!
One eye like Nelson, that's the trick you see,
That's why I am the ruler of the Queen's Navee!
One eye like Nelson, that's the trick you see,
That's why he is the ruler of the Queen's Navee!]
@@151eg Thank you! Now I've filled in what I think is right.
But what does Oxley and bunyip mean, I don't know. To me a lot seems understood only to those knowing British naval history.
He cuts a great figure as a bent, little, bandy-legged, pot-bellied pen-pusher, he looks like an Arthur Rackham drawing of Scrooge but more evilly pleased with himself.
What a marvelous phrase! "...more evily pleased with himself. Love it!
The Admiral is Drew Forsythe, an Australian veteran who is still performing in the annual Wharf Revue.
That silly walk lives in my head rent free.
I cant stop hearing Brain singing this
Caligula was no boy scout, he did things that we can't even talk about...
This guy has the silliest of silly walks
3:30 - holy shit, that face change and tone drop gave me the chills.
Sallah, the best digger in Cairo, brought me here.
Nowadays if someone were to follow a path in the manner Sir Joseph, it would be called networking, and plays a result in a majority of higher level positions.
In summary, this guy is probably a LOT like your boss
Bad dates.
But take back one kadam to honor the Hebrew God, whose Ark this is.
Peter Notarfrancesco Phil H BAAHAHAHAHHA!!!! Delighted I'm not the only one digging for the Well of Souls
Snakes, why did it have to be snakes!
Indy: Get us a transport back to England. Boat, plane, anything. Then meet me at Omar's, be ready for me. I'm goin' after that truck.
Sallah: How?
Indy: I don't know, I'm making this up as I go.
(Proceeds to give one of the greatest chase scenes in cinema.)
Agreed!
If I had known plays could actually be interesting like this I’d definitely have been a theater nerd.
pclmusic40 thank you so much it makes so much more sense and adds a whole new layer to the song. Such biting criticism and the audience laughter makes sense to. Thank you these are the sort of cultural references that are hard to understand without an interpreter.
Bravo! A very good performance indeed!
Best performance is Sallah in Raiders of the Lost Ark
Is anyone else just here to find out what Sallah was singing in Raiders of the Lost Ark?
I'm here because this reminds me of the opening of slappy and the stinkers😃
So many great scenes, many from before I joined LL in... the'70s sometime!
This is possibly the best true performance of how the character should actually be portrayed, "that I ever did see". Thanks so much for this! Is there more info on this performance, or did I miss it? Thank you again!
The full performance is actually pretty terrible and meant to be a parody (I think)
Danielle Brodie gilbert and sullivan operettas are parodies by design
This dude comes off as entitled and incompetent in a way others don't capture, I think it's perfect.
czcams.com/video/_vDsRd-IkZY/video.html
This performance is from back in 1997, I went to see it with my senior music class. It was the last of 3 done by this company, Pirates of Penzance then Mikado then this. I think this performance was recorded in New Zealand, but written (i.e. edited/updated) & performed by Australians. I can still enjoy it, but some of the quips need updating for the next generation to get the same pleasure from it.
he sings ipswick witch tongue twister perfectly!!
This production found a sensible way to save money. In the play as written, there is a HUGE chorus of girls and women, of widely varying ages and body types, who accompany Sir Joseph singing the refrain "And we are his sisters and his cousins and his aunts". As this clip shows, one of each does just fine.
Absolutely spectacular