Well, I saw the gentleman soldier, as a sentry he did stand,
He saluted the 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 to the sentry box, wrapped up in a soldier's coat

Chorus:
And the drums they go with a rat-a-ta-tat
And the pipes 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, said: 'Fare ye well, me dear.'
For the drums, they are a-sounding and the pipes they sweetly play,
If it weren't for that, me Polly, then along with you I'd stay.

Chorus:

Oh come, ye gentleman soldier, won't you marry me?'
Oh no, me dearest Polly, such things can never be.
For I have a wife already and children I have three,
Two wives are allowed in the army, but one is too many 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 coat.

Chorus:

Oh come, ye 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 passed and purgatory got shame,
She had a little militia boy, and she didn't know his name

Chorus:

See also:
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