The First Lord's Song (for "Tso" scrutiny)

The First Lord's Song

Created by Gilbert and Sullivan

For lyrics to the song please go to http://www.guntheranderson.com/v/data/firstlor.htm
(lyrics in italics are sung by the chorus and repeat the line previous. They will not be looked at in this review)

          "The First Lord's Song" is a lyric from Gilbert and Sullivan's operetta HMS Pinafore and satirizes the British navy when Britain was the largest empire on earth.  It effectively states that the most powerful empire on earth is lead by an inexperienced and seemingly incompetent person.  Each verses follows an aabbcc rhyme scheme with the last line always being a slight variation of  "Now I am the Ruler of the Queens Navy."
          This song is sung by the First Lord of the British Admiralty, and in it he tells the story of how he came to be in that position. At first, he was an office boy, who cleaned windows, swept the floors, and "polished up the handle of the big front door." He did these menial tasks "so carefully" that his employers promoted him to junior clerk. As junior clerk he smiled at the others and copied out legal documents in large letters so that they were very easy to see. His handwriting was so admired that he was promoted again to articled clerk. He wore clean, new clothes and did so well on his exam that he was accepted into the legal partnership. Ironically, the First Lord admits that this junior partnership was "the only ship that he ever had seen."   One would think that the "Ruler of the Queen's Navy" would have at least some minor experience on board an actual ship!
          Nevertheless, the First Lord continues his story and tells of how his place as a legal partner was highly  lucrative for him and he grew very rich.  His wealth, and not his ability it seems, caught the eye of the government and he became a political candidate in a "pocket borough" which was an electoral district where candidates from specific political parties were virtually guaranteed a seat in parliament.  Once in parliament, he did what his party leader said, always voted for his party's side, and "never thought of thinking for himself at all."  Because he had no experience and no strong opinions of his own, they "rewarded" him by making him "the Ruler of the Queen's Navy."  He ends his story with the message, "If you want to rise to the top of the tree/... ...stick close to your desks and never go to sea/ And you all may be Rulers of the Queen's Navy." In other words, if you never gain practical experience, but just talk to the right people, join the right crowd. and have lots of money, you likely can gain a position of authority.
          While this song was originally written about incompetent British figureheads in the Victorian era, and although much has changed since then, these lyrics are still extremely relevant to society today. Many politicians and officials have little or no practical experience, and are only there because they were privileged when they were young, wore nice clothes, smiled and scored well on tests. According to Gilbert and Sullivan if you wish to succeed, all you really need to do is "polish up that handle so carefully". Alas even today this remains relevant advice.