Well, he was 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!
Chorus: 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 thee well my dear! For the drums they are a-sounding and the fifes do sweetly play - If it weren't for that, Polly, my dear, then at home with you I'd stay!"
Chorus
"Oh, come you gentleman soldier, won't you marry me?" "Oh no, me dearest Polly, such thing can never be - For I've a wife already and children I have three! Two wives are allowed in the army but one's too much for me!"
Chorus
"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!"
Chorus
"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 had come and gone the poor girl she brought shame - She had a little militia boy and she didn't know his name!