Gentleman Soldier

Gentleman soldier

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

And the drums they go with a rat-a-ta-tat

And the fifes they loudly play

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 ey well, me dear'

For the drums they are a sounding

And the fifes they sweetly play

And if it weren't for that, my Polly

Then along with you I'd stay

O come, ye gentleman soldier, 'won't you marry me?'

'Oh no, me dearest Polly such things never can 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'

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

'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 millitia boy

And she didn't know his name

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

And the drums they go with a rat-a-ta-tat

And the fifes they loudly play

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 ey well, me dear'

For the drums they are a sounding

And the fifes they sweetly play

And if it weren't for that, my Polly

Then along with you I'd stay

O come, ye gentleman soldier, 'won't you marry me?'

'Oh no, me dearest Polly such things never can 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'

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

'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 millitia boy

And she didn't know his name