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 soldier's 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 weren't 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