Irving Berlin
Lyric guide

I've Got My Captain Working For Me Now

Read I've Got My Captain Working For Me Now lyrics by Irving Berlin on LyroVerse, with linked artist context and related song paths.

Irving Berlin visibility2 visits
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Page type: lyric reference Artist: Irving Berlin Canonical path: /irving-berlin/i-ve-got-my-captain-working-for-me-now Related lyric paths: 6
Lyrics

I've Got My Captain Working For Me Now

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[1st verse:]

Johnny Jones was a first class private

In the army last year

Now he's back to bus'ness in his father's place

Sunday night I saw him with a smiling face

When I asked why he felt so happy

Johnny chuckled with glee

He winked his eye and made this reply:

"Something wonderful has happened to me"

[Refrain:]

I've got the guy who used to be my Captain working for me

He wanted work so I made him a clerk in my father's factory

And bye and bye I'm gonna have him wrapped in work up to his brow

I make him open the office ev'ry morning at eight

I come around about four hours late

Ev'rything comes to those who wait

I've got my Captain working for me now

[2nd verse:]

He's not worth what I have to pay him

But I'll never complain

I've agreed to give him fifty dollars per

It's worth twice as much to hear him call me "Sir"

While I sit in my cosy office

He's outside working hard

Out in the hall at my beck and call

With a feather duster standing on guard

[2nd refrain:]

I've got the guy who used to be my Captain working for me

He wanted work so I made him a clerk in my father's factory

And bye and bye I'm gonna have him wrapped in work up to his brow

When I come into the office he gets up on his feet

Stands at attention and gives me his seat

Who was it said "revenge is sweet"

I've got my Captain working for me now

[Alternate Refrain:]

I've got the guy who used to be my Captain working for me

I gave him work where there's no chance to shirk

He's as busy as a bee

And bye and bye I'm gonna have him wrapped in work up to his brow

I had a small kitchen built in my Dad's factory

Now I have the Captain there doing K.P.

God has been awfully good to me

I've got my Captain working for me now

[Alternate Lines:]

He stood at attention, called me "Sir"

He said, "I can't get along on twenty-five per"

I gave him a look and said "as you were"

[Some versions substitute 'beanery' for 'factory']

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Who performs "I've Got My Captain Working For Me Now"?

Irving Berlin performs "I've Got My Captain Working For Me Now", and this lyric page sits inside the Irving Berlin catalog on LyroVerse.

Are there related songs to explore after "I've Got My Captain Working For Me Now"?

Yes. The related section below points to (I'll See You In) C-U-B-A and (I've Got) Plenty To Be Thankful For with a short reason for opening each page next.

Where can I find more songs by Irving Berlin?

Use the artist link near the top of the page or the related paths section below to keep moving through Irving Berlin's lyric pages.

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