Well, it's of a gentleman soldier as a sentry he did stand 
He saluted a 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 in the sentry box wrapped up in a soldier's cloak 

And the drums they go with a rata 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 til daylight did appear 
The soldier rose, put on his clothes, saying, fare you well me dear 
For the drums they are a sounding and the fifes does sweetly play 
If it weren't for that dear Polly then along with you I'd stay 

And the drums they go with a rata ta tat 
And the fifes they loudly play 
Fare thee well Polly me dear, I must be going away 

Oh, come you 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 rata ta tat 
And the fifes they loudly play 
Fare thee well Polly me dear, I must be going away 

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 cloak 

And the drums they go with a rata ta tat 
And the fifes they loudly play 
Fare thee well Polly me dear, I must be going away 

Oh, come you 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 hade come and passed the 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 rata ta tat 
And the fifes they loudly play 
Fare thee well Polly me dear, I must be going away


(c) Folkaholics