A Gentleman Soldier

The Gentleman Soldier - Luke Kelly

Well it's of a gentleman soldier

As sentry he did stand

He saluted the fair maiden

With a waiving of his hand

So boldly then kissed her

And passed it off as a joke

He drilled her up in the sentry box

Wrapped up in his soldiers cloke

Well the drums took over the rat a tap tap

And the pipes do loudly play

Fare the well Molly my dear

I must be going away

Well they lightly tossed and tumbled

Till daylight did appear

The soldier then put on his clothes

Saying fare you well my dear

For the drums they are a sounding

And the pipes do loudly play

If it wasn't for that Molly my dear

Along with you I'd stay

Well the drums took over the rat a tap tap

And the pipes do loudly play

Fare the well Molly my dear

I must be going away

Now tell me gentleman soldier

When will you marry me

Well now my dearest Molly

That thing never can be

For I've a wife already

And children I have three

And an other wife in the army

And that's one too many for me

Well the drums took over the rat a tap tap

And the pipes do loudly play

Fare the well Molly my dear

I must be going away

If anyone comes a courtin' you

You can treat them to a glass

If anyone comes a courtin' 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 the sentry box wrapped up

In the soldier's cloak

And the drums did go with a rat ta ta

Tat and the fifes did loudly play

Fare the well polly me dear

I must be going away

Oh come you gentlemen soldier

When you tell me so

Me parents will be angry

When this they come to know

And when nine long months had come and past the

Poor girl she brought shame

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

And the drums did go with a rat ta ta

Tat and the fifes did loudly play

Fare the well polly me dear

I must be going away