H.M.S. "PINAFORE"
On the eventful morning of Sir Joseph's intended visit, Captain Corcoran came on deck as soon as he had finished his breakfast. Captain Corcoran had arranged a pretty little musical method of greeting his crew, and the crew practised it with him until they were perfect. This was how he greeted his crew every day:
My gallant crew, good morning!
And they would reply:
Sir, good morning!
Then he would say:
I hope you're all quite well!
And they would answer:
Quite well, and you, Sir?
And he would reply:
I am in reasonable health, and happy
To see you all once more.
And they would sing:
You do us proud, Sir!
Of course, when he was not quite well he would alter the words to suit his condition, like this:
I have a dreadful toothache, yet I'm happy
To see you all once more!
Or,
I have a housemaid's knee, yet I am happy
To see you all once more!
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