A Gentleman Soldier

Gentleman soldier Well I saw the gentleman soldier, as a sentry he did stand He saluted the fair maid by a waving of his hand So boldly then he kissed her and he passed it off as a joke He drilled her up to the sentry box Wrapped up in a soldier's coat And the drums they go with a rat-a-ta-tat And the fifes they 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 ey well, me dear' For the drums they are a sounding And the fifes they sweetly play And if it weren't for that, my Polly Then along with you I'd stay , O come, ye gentleman soldier, 'won't you marry me?' 'Oh no, me dearest Polly such things never can be For I have a wife already and children I have three Two wives are allowed in the army But one is too many for me' , 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 don't have to tell them That ever you played this joke That you were drilled in a sentry box Wrapped up in a soldier's coat , 'Oh come ye gentleman soldier, why didn't you tell me so My parents will be angry when this they come to know' And when nine long months had come and passed, And purgatory got shame She had a little millitia boy And she didn't know his name . Well I saw the gentleman soldier, as a sentry he did stand He saluted the fair maid by a waving of his hand So boldly then he kissed her and he passed it off as a joke He drilled her up to the sentry box Wrapped up in a soldier's coat And the drums they go with a rat-a-ta-tat And the fifes they 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 ey well, me dear' For the drums they are a sounding And the fifes they sweetly play And if it weren't for that, my Polly Then along with you I'd stay , O come, ye gentleman soldier, 'won't you marry me?' 'Oh no, me dearest Polly such things never can be For I have a wife already and children I have three Two wives are allowed in the army But one is too many for me' , 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 don't have to tell them That ever you played this joke That you were drilled in a sentry box Wrapped up in a soldier's coat , 'Oh come ye gentleman soldier, why didn't you tell me so My parents will be angry when this they come to know' And when nine long months had come and passed, And purgatory got shame She had a little millitia boy And she didn't know his name .