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The Worlds of Gilbert and Sullivan

This rousing song: When Britain Really Rul'd the Waves, from Iolanthe is sung by the peer, Lord Mountararat, with SATB chorus. The words are typical of William, who is having a 'go' at the House of Lords (or is it politics generally?) in this opera. Arthur's music is delightful, and the song made a big hit from the word go. 

It is regularly sung on concert platforms to this day. On one such occasion, a year or two ago, I sang it in concert; and afterwards, when speaking with a member of the House of Peers in the audience (tut, tut, name dropping!) His Lordship expressed delight with the song, and exclaimed that the words still had a ring of truth about them! I was impressed by two things in this conversation: my sense of relief that he liked the song and wasn't offended; and how marvellous it was that such an eminent person could take the joke against his own dearly loved establishment so well. JEA.

But since then, of course, momentous political events have overtaken this House, and I have no doubt the picture is now immensely different. This has almost certainly placed this song (and the opera) in a singularly different place in history.

However, enough of this, be a Lord and have a go yourself - you'll love it, I'm sure . . .

When Britain Really Ruled the Waves¹

Solo: When Britain really rul'd the waves - 
(In good Queen Bess's time)
The House of Peers made no pretence,
To intellectual eminence,
Or scholarship sublime;
Yet Britain won her proudest bays
In good Queen Bess's glorious days!
Yet Britain won her proudest bays
In good Queen Bess's glorious days!

Chorus: Yes, Britain won her proudest bays
In good Queen Bess's glorious days!

Solo: When Wellington thrash'd Bonaparte,
As ev'ry child can tell,
The House of Peers throughout the war,
Did nothing in particular,
And did it very well:
Yet Britain set the world ablaze
In good King George's glorious days!
Yet Britain set the world ablaze
In good King George's glorious days!

Chorus: Yes, Britain set the world ablaze
In good King George's glorious days!

Solo: And while the House of Peers withholds
Its legislative hand,
And noble statesmen do not itch
To interfere with matters which
They do not understand,
As bright will shine Great Britain's rays
As in King George's glorious days!
As bright will shine Great Britain's rays
As in King George's glorious days!

Chorus: As bright will shine Great Britain's rays
As in King George's glorious days!

Go on, give it another go . . .!

But what about  Oh! Foolish Fay next . . .?

Footnote 1:    This ties in neatly with our MusicSmiles tale about Francis Drake (Click to learn more). Return to story.

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