[The Pogues' Version]

--------------------------------





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



Now come you gentleman soldier,

won't you marry me?

Oh no my dearest Polly

such things can never be

for I've a wife already

children I have three

Two wives are allowed in the army

but one's 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



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 needn't ever tell them,

nor pass it off as a joke

That you got drilled in a 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



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



These are the lyrics as they appear on the Rum, Sodomy, & The Lash insert.







[The Sentry Box]

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'Twas on one Sunday evening

on sentry did I stand

I fell in love with some pretty girl

by shaking of her hand;

By shaking of her hand, my boys,

and the passing of a joke,

I slipped her into the sentry box

and roll'd her up in my cloak.



O! there we toss'd and tumbl'd

till daylight did appear

Then I arose, put on my clothes,

saying, "Fare you well my dear.

The drums they are a-beating

and the fifes so sweetly play,

If it wasn't for that, dear Polly,

along with you I'd stay."



If anyone comes a-courting you,

you treat them with a glass -

If anyone comes a-courting you,

say you're a country lass.

You need not even tell them

that ever you pass'd a joke,

That ever you went in a sentry box

wrapp'd up in a soldier's cloak.



"Now come, my valiant young soldier,

O! won't you marry me?"

"O! no, my dearest Polly,

such things they never can be,

For married I am already

and children I have three,

Two wives are allow'd in the army,

but one is enough for me."



"O! now, my valiant young soldier,

why hadn't you told me so?

My parents they'll be angry

if ever they come to know."

When nine long months was up and pass'd

this this poor girl she brought shame,

For she had a little militia boy

and she could not tell his name.