The Gentleman Soldier

It's of a gentleman soldier

as sentry he did stand

He saluted a fair maiden

by a waiving of his hand

So then he boldly kissed her

and he passed it off as a joke

He drilled her up in the sentry box

wrapped up in a soldier's cloke

And the drums are going a rap a tap tap

And the fifes they loudly play

Fare you well Polly my dear

I must be going away

All night they tossed and tumbled

till the daylight did appear

The soldier rose, put on his clothes,

saying, Fare you well my dear

For the drums they are a beating

and the fifes they so sweetly play

If it weren't for that Polly my dear

with you I'd gladly stay

And the drums are going a rap a tap tap

And the fifes they loudly play

Fare you well Polly my dear

I must be going away

Now come you gentleman soldier,

won't you marry me?

Oh no my dearest Polly

such things can never be

for I've a wife already

children I have three

Two wives are allowed in the army

but one's too many for me

And the drums are going a rap a tap tap

And the fifes they loudly play

Fare you well Polly my dear

I must be going away

If anyone comes a courting you,

you can treat them to a glass

If anyone comes a courting you,

you can say you're a country lass

You needn't ever tell them,

nor pass it off as a joke

That you got drilled in a sentry box

wrapped up in a soldier's cloke

And the drums are going a rap a tap tap

And the fifes they loudly play

Fare you well Polly my dear

I must be going away

Oh it's come my gentleman soldier,

why didn't you tell me so? My parents will be angy

when this they come to know When nine months had been and gone

the poor girl she brought shame

She had a little militia boy

and she didn't know his name

And the drums are going a rap a tap tap

And the fifes they loudly play

Fare you well Polly my dear

I must be going away