A Gentleman Soldier

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

He saluted the fair maid be a waving of his hand

So boldly then he kissed her and he passed it off as a joke

He drilled her up in the sentry-box wrapped up in a soldier's cloak

And the drums they go with a rat-a-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, pulled on his clothes, saying, "Fare ye well, me dear

For the drums they are a sounding, and the fifes did sweetly play

If it weren't for that, dear Polly, then along with you I'd stay"

And the drums they go with a rat-a-ta-tat and the fifes did loudly play

Fare thee well, Polly me dear, I must be going away

"Oh come, ye gentleman soldier, won't you marry me?"

"Oh no, me dearest Polly, such things never can be

For I've a wife already and children I have three

Two wives are allowed in the army but one's too many for me"

And the drums they go with a rat-a-ta-tat and the fifes did loudly play

Fare thee well, Polly me dear, I must be going away

"If anyone comes a courting you can treat them to a glass

If anyone comes a courting 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 cloak"

And the drums they go with a rat-a-ta-tat and the fifes did loudly play

Fare thee well, Polly me dear, I must be going away

"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, this poor girl she brought shame

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

And the drums they go with a rat-a-ta-tat and the fifes did loudly play

Fare thee well, Polly me dear, I must be going away