When I, Good Friends, Was Called to the Bar - Gilbert and Sullivan (Lyrics)

ARTIST: Gilbert and Sullivan
TITLE: When I, Good Friends, Was Called to the Bar
Lyrics


[Trial By Jury]

When I, good friends, was call'd to the bar
I'd an appetite fresh and hearty
But I was, as many young barristers are
An impecunious party
I'd a swallow-tail coat of a beautiful blue
And a brief which I bought of a booby
A couple of shirts, and a collar or two
And a ring that looked like a ruby

He'd a couple of shirts, and a collar or two
And a ring that look'd like a ruby

At Westminister Hall I danc'd a dance
Like a semi-despondent fury
For I tho't I never should hit on a chance
Of addressing a British jury
But I soon got tired of third-class journeys
And dinners of bread and water
So I fell in love with a rich attorney's
Elderly, ugly daughter

So he fell in love with a rich attorney's
Elderly, ugly daughter

The rich attorney, he jump'd with joy
And replied to my fond professions
"You shall reap the reward of your pluck, my boy
At the Bailey and Middlesex Sessions
You'll soon get used to her looks,"  said he
"And a very nice girl you will find her
She may very well pass for forty-three
In the dusk, with a light behind her"

She has often been taken for forty three
In the dusk, with a light behind her

The rich attorney was good as his word
The briefs came trooping gaily
And every day my voice was heard
At the Sessions of ancient Bailey
All thieves, who could my fees afford
Relied on my orations
And many a burglar I've restored
To his friends and his relations

And many a burglar he's restored
To his friends and his relations

At length I became as rich as the Gurneys
An incubus then I thought her
So I threw over that rich attorney's
Elderly, ugly daughter
The rich attorney my character high
Tried vainly to disparage
And now, if you please, I'm ready to try
This breach of promise of marriage

And now, if you please, he's ready to try
This breach of promise of marriage

For now I'm a judge
And a good judge, too
Yes, now I'm a judge
And a good judge, too
Though all my law be fudge
Yet I'll never, never budge
And I'll live and die a judge
And a good Judge too
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