American Old Time Song Lyrics: 33 I Want A Situation

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 33

I WANT A SITUATION.
Copyright, 1891, by Hitchcock & McCargo Publishing Company
Words by Harry B. Smith. Music by Adam Itzel, Jr.

I've been a rover the wild world o'er; I've sailed every sea;
Yes, Suabia and Arabia are all one to me.
Madagascar and Alaska and far Timbuctoo,
The Sahara and Ferrara, Shanghai and Foochoo,
Scandinavia and Moravia I know and I love.
I have wandered, I have pondered in all the above.
At last, far away, I am cast away; leave me not in the cold,
Or the coroner of this mariner an inquest will hold.

Chorus.
Or the coroner of this mariner an inquest will hold.

Solo.
I want a situation and I want it very badly.
However humble the station, I'll accept of it gladly.
I want a situation; I am pliable and reliable; I am such a good chap;
I'll take anything; I'll do anything; I don't care a rap.

Chorus.
He wants a situation and he wants it very badly,
However humble the station, he'll accept of it gladly.
He wants a situation; he is pliable and reliable; he is such a good chap.

I've been a tailor, I've been a jailer; a book agent sleek;
I've been a fakir, an undertaker, and a dime-museum freak;
A tragedian (a seedy un); I've posted up show bills;
I've been reckoned a splendid second in prize-fighting mills;
I've peddled matches, put on patches; I've lectured on rum;
I've studied surgery, practiced perjury; I've played the bass-drum.
Don't speak chillingly, I'd be willingly a sweep as a king;
Pray be mollified, I am qualified for 'most anything.

Chorus.
Pray be mollified, he is qualified for 'most anything.-Solo & Cho.