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It's of a gentlemen soldier as a sentry he did stand |
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He saluted the fair maid be a wavin' of the hand |
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So boldly then he kissed and he passed it off as a joke |
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He drilled her up in the sentry box, wrapped up a the soldiers coat |
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And the drums did go with a rat-ta-ta-tat and the fifes did loudly play, |
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Fare thee well Polly me dear I must be going away |
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All night they tossed and tumbled till daylight did appear |
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The soldier rose, put on his clothes, said fare thee well me dear |
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For the drums they are a pounding and the fifes did sweetly play |
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If it weren't for that dear Polly, then along with you I'd stay |
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And the drums did go with a rat-ta-ta-tat and the fifes did loudly play, |
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Fare thee well Polly me dear I must be going away |
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Oh come you gentlemen soldier, "Won't you marry me?" |
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"Oh no me dearest, Polly. Such things never can be." |
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"I've a wife already and children I have three |
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Two wives are allowed in army but one is too many for me." |
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And the drums did go with a rat-ta-ta-tat and the fifes did loudly play, |
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Fare thee well Polly me dear I must be going away |
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If anyone comes a courtin' you, you can treat them to a glass |
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If anyone comes a courtin' you, you can say you're a country lass |
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You don't have to tell them that ever you played this joke |
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That you were drilled in the sentry box wrapped up in the soldier's cloak |
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And the drums did go with a rat-ta-ta-tat and the fifes did loudly play, |
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Fare thee well Polly me dear I must be going away |
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Oh come you gentlemen soldier, when you tell me so |
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Me parents will be angry when this they come to know |
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And when nine long months had come and past, the poor girl she brought shame |
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She had a little militia boy and she didn't know his name |
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And the drums did go with a rat-ta-ta-tat and the fifes did loudly play, |
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Fare thee well Polly me dear I must be going away |
