oh, it's of a gentleman soldier, as a sentry he did
stand.
he saluted a fair maid with a waving of his hand.
so boldly then he kissed her, and passed it off as a
joke.
then he drilled her into the sentry box wrapped up in a
soldier's cloak.
and the drums did go ratter-tat-tat and the fifes so
loudly play
saying "fare thee well, polly me dear, i must be going
away
all night they tossed and tumbled, till daylight did
appear.
the soldier rose, put on his clothes, said "fare thee
well me dear,
for the drums they are a-beating, the fifes still
loudly play;
if it weren't for that, polly me dear, with you i'd
long to stay.
and the drums did go ratter-tat-tat and the fifes so
loudly play
saying "fare thee well, polly me dear, i must be going
away
oh come, me gentleman soldier, now won't you marry me?
oh no, me dearest polly, such things they never can be,
for married i am already and children i have three;
two wifes are allowed in the army, but one's too many
for me.
and the drums did go ratter-tat-tat and the fifes so
loudly play
saying "fare thee well, polly me dear, i must be going
away
oh, if anyone come a-courting you, you treat him to a
glass.
if anyone come a-courting you, you say you're a country
lass.
you needn't even tell them that ever you've laid a
joke.
that ever you went into a sentry box, wrapped up in a
soldier's cloak.
and the drums did go ratter-tat-tat and the fifes so
loudly play
saying "fare thee well, polly me dear, i must be going
away
instrumental
oh come, me gentleman soldier, why didn't you tell me
so?
me parents they'll be angry when this they come to
know.
when nine long months were up and past, the young girl
she brought shame
she had a little militia boy and she couldn't tell his
name.
and the drums did go ratter-tat-tat and the fifes so
loudly play
saying "fare thee well, polly me dear, i must be going
away
