The Gentleman Soldier Lyrics - Dubliners

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

He saluted the fair maid be a wavin' of the hand 

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

He drilled her up in the sentry box, wrapped up a the 

Soldiers coat 

And the drums did go with a rat-ta-ta-tat and the fifes 

Did 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 thee 

Well me dear 

For the drums they are a pounding and the fifes did 

Sweetly play 

If it weren't for that dear Polly, then along with you 

I'd stay 

And the drums did go with a rat-ta-ta-tat and the fifes 

Did loudly play, 

Fare thee well Polly me dear I must be going away 

Oh come you gentlemen soldier, "Won't you marry me?" 

"Oh no me dearest, Polly. Such things never can be.? 

"I've a wife already and children I have three 

Two wives are allowed in army but one is too many for 

Me.? 

And the drums did go with a rat-ta-ta-tat and the fifes 

Did loudly play, 

Fare thee well Polly me 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 thee well Polly me dear I must be going away