The Gentleman Solider

The Gentleman Soldier - A. L. Lloyd

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

And he kindly saluted a fair maid by waving of his hand

So boldly then he kissed her and passed it as a joke

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

For the drums do go with a rap-a-tap-tap and the fifes did loudly play

Saying fare you well my polly dear i must be going away

Oh there they tossed and tumbled till daylight did appear

The soldier rose put on his clothes says fare you well my dear

For the drums they are a-beating and the fifes so sweetly play

And if it warn't for that dear polly along with you i'd stay

For the drums do go with a rap-a-tap-tap and the fifes did loudly play

Saying fare you well my polly dear i must be going away

Now come you gentleman soldier and won't you marry me

Oh no my dearest polly such things can never be

For married i am already and children i have three

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

For the drums do go with a rap-a-tap-tap and the fifes did loudly play

Saying fare you well my polly dear i must be going away

If anyone come a-courting you treat 'em to a glass

If anyone come a-courting you say you're a country lass

You needn't even tell them that ever you played this joke

That ever you went in a sentry box wrapped up in a soldier's cloak

For the drums do go with a rap-a-tap-tap and the fifes did loudly play

Saying fare you well my polly dear i must be going away

It's come my gentleman soldier why didn't you tell me so

My parents will be angry when this they come to know

When long nine months was up and past this poor girl she brought shame

For she had a little militia boy and she couldn't tell his name

For the drums do go with a rap-a-tap-tap and the fifes did loudly play

Saying fare you well my polly dear i must be going away