Well its of a gentleman soldier
As sentry he did stand
He saluted the fair maiden
With a waiving of his hand
So boldly then kissed her
And passed it off as a joke
He drilled her up in the sentry box
Wrapped up in his soldiers cloke

Well the drums took over the rat a tap tap
And the pipes do loudly play
Fare thee well Molly my dear
I must be going away

Well they lightly tossed and tumbled
Till daylight did appear
The soldier then put on his clothes,
Saying, fare you well my dear
For the drums they are a sounding
And the pipes do loudly play
If it wasn't for that Molly my dear
Along with you I'd stay

Well the drums took over the rat a tap tap
And the pipes do loudly play
Fare thee well Molly my dear
I must be going away


Now tell me gentleman soldier,
When will you marry me?
Well now my dearest Molly
That thing never can be
For I've a wife already
And children I have three
And an other wife in the army
And thats one too many for me

Well the drums took over the rat a tap tap
And the pipes do loudly play
Fare thee well Molly my dear
I must be going away

And now my soldier laddie,
Why didnt you tell me so?
My parents will be angy
When this they come to know.
And she'll remember passing by,
The poor girl she brought shame
She had a little militia boy
And she didnt know his name

Well the drums took over the rat a tap tap
And the pipes do loudly play
Fare thee well Molly my dear
I must be going away