G
D
G
Verse 1: Well, I saw the gentleman soldier, as a sentry he did stand,
D
G
He
saluted the fair maid by a waving of his hand
D
C
G
So
boldly then he kissed her and he passed it off as a joke
D
G
He
drilled her up to the sentry box, wrapped up in a soldier's coat
G
D
Chorus: And the drums they go with a rat-a-ta-tat
C
G
And
the pipes they loudly play
D
G
Fare
thee well, Polly me dear, I must be going away
Verse 2: All night they tossed and tumbled 'til daylight did appear.
The
soldier rose, put on his clothes, said: 'Fare ye well, me dear.'
For
the drums, they are a-sounding and the pipes they sweetly play,
If
it weren't for that, me Polly, then along with you I'd stay.
Chorus:
Verse 3: 'Oh come, ye gentleman soldier, won't you marry me?'
'Oh
no, me dearest Polly, such things can never 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.'
Chorus:
Verse 4: 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.
Chorus:
Verse 5: '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 militia boy, and she didn't know his name
Chorus: