The Gentleman Soldier

It's of a gentleman soldier

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



And the drums are going a rap a tap tap
And the fifes they loudly play
Fare you well polly my dear
I must be going away



All night they tossed and tumbled
Till the daylight did appear
The soldier rose, put on his clothes,
Saying, fare you well my dear
For the drums they are a beating
And the fifes they so sweetly play
If it werent for that polly my dear
With you I'd gladly stay



And the drums are going a rap a tap tap
And the fifes they loudly play
Fare you well polly my dear
I must be going away


(...)


Now come you gentleman soldier,
Won't you marry me?
Oh no my dearest polly
Such thing can never be
For I've a wife already
Children I have three
Two wives are allowed in the army
But ones too many for me


And the drums are going a rap a tap tap
And the fifes they loudly play
Fare you well polly my dear
I must be going away



Oh it's come my gentleman soldier,
Why didn't you tell me so?
my parents will be angy
When this they come to know
when nine months had been and gone
The poor girl she brought shame
She had a little militia boy
And she didn't know his name


And the drums are going a rap a tap tap
And the fifes they loudly play
Fare you well polly my dear
I must be going away


(irish traditional - Versão Pogues)