A Gentleman Soldier - The Dubliners

It's of a gentlemen soldier as a sentry he did stand

He saluted the fair maid be a wavin of the hand

So boldly then he kissed turning passed it off as a joke

He drilled her up in the sentry box wrapped up a the soldiers coat

And the drums did go with a rat ta ta tat

And the fifes did loudly play

Fare thee well polly me dear i must be going away

All night they tossed and tumbled till daylight did appear

The soldier rose put on his clothes said fare thee well me dear

For the drums they are a pounding and the fifes did sweetly play

If it weren't for that dear polly then along with you i'd stay

And the drums did go with a rat ta ta tat

And the fifes did loudly play

Fare thee well polly me dear i must be going away

Oh come you gentlemen soldier won't you marry me

Oh no me dearest polly such things never can be

I've a wife already and children i have three

Two wives are allowed in army but one is too many for me

And the drums did go with a rat ta ta tat

And the fifes did loudly play

Fare thee well polly me dear i must be going away

If anyone comes a courtin you you can treat them to a glass

If anyone comes a courtin you you can say you're a country lass

You don't have to tell them that ever you played this joke

That you were drilled in the sentry

Box wrapped up in the soldier's cloak

And the drums did go with a rat ta ta tat

And the fifes did loudly play

Fare thee well polly me dear i must be going away

Oh come you gentlemen soldier when you tell me so

Me parents will be angry when this they come to know

And when nine long months had come

And past the poor girl she brought shame

She had a little militia boy and she didn't know his name

And the drums did go with a rat ta ta tat

And the fifes did loudly play

Fare thee well polly me dear i must be going away