'Tis of a gentleman soldier

As a sentry he did stand

He kindly saluted a fair young

Maid by waving of his hand

So boldly then he kissed her

And passed it off as a joke

For he drilled her into the sentry box

Wrapped up in a soldier's cloak

For the drums do go with a rat-a-tat-tat

And the fifes do loudly play

Saying "Fare thee well Polly my dear

I must be going away "

Oh there they tossed and tumbled

Till 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 do loudly play

If it weren't for that Polly me dear

Along with you I'd stay "

For the drums do go with a rat-a-tat-tat

And the fifes do loudly play

Saying "Fare thee well Polly my dear

I must be going away "

"Now come you gentleman soldier

And won't you marry me "

"Oh no my dearest Polly

Such things they never can be

For married I am already

And children I have three;

Two wives are allowed in the army

But one's too many for me "

For the drums do go with a rat-a-tat-tat

And the fifes do loudly play

Saying "Fare thee well

Polly my dear I must be going away "

"If anyone come a-courting you

You treat 'em to a glass

If anyone come a-courting

You say you're a country lass

You needn't even tell them

That ever you played the joke

That ever you went in a sentry box

Wrapped up in a soldier's cloak "

For the drums do go with a rat-a-tat-tat

And the fifes do loudly play

Saying "Fare thee well Polly my dear

I must be going away "

"Oh come my gentleman soldier

Why didn't you tell me so

My parents will be angry

When this they come to know "

When nine long months was up and past

The poor girl she brought shame

For she had a little militia boy

And she couldn't tell his name

For the drums do go with a rat-a-tat-tat

And the fifes do loudly play

Saying "Fare thee well

Polly my dear I must be going away "