(Traditional)

It's of a gentleman soldier as a sentry he did stand

He saluted a fair maiden by a waving of his hand

And then he boldly kissed her and he passed it off as a joke

He drilled her up in a sentry box wrapped up in a soldier's cloak



And the drums are going a rap a tap tap

And the fifes they loudly play

Fare thee well, Polly me dear

I must be going away



All night they tossed and tumbled till the morning did appear

The soldier rose, put on his clothes, and said, "Fare well my dear

For the drums are loudly beating and the fifes they sweetly play

If it weren't for that, Polly me dear, with you I'd gladly stay"



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 you ever played this joke

That you got drilled in a sentry box wrapped up in a soldier's cloak



"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 and children I have three

Two wives are allowed in the army, but one's too many for me"



"Oh it's come me gentleman soldier, why didn't you tell me so?

Me parents will be angry when this they come to know"

And when nine months had been and gone the poor girl she felt shamed

She had a little militia boy and she didn't know his name