Martin Carthy And Dave Swarbrick - Gentleman Soldier lyrics

'Tis of a gentleman soldier, as a sentry he did stand, He kindly saluted a fair young maid by waving of his hand. So boldly then he kissed her, and pa**ed it off as a joke, For he drilled her into the sentry box wrapped up in a soldier's cloak. For the drums do go with a rat-a-tat-tat and the fifes do loudly play, Saying, "Fare thee well, Polly my dear, I must be going away." Oh there they tossed and tumbled till daylight did appear, The soldier rose, put on his clothes, saying, "Fare you well, my dear, For the drums they are a-beating and the fifes do loudly play. If it weren't for that, Polly me dear, along with you I'd stay." For the drums do go with a rat-a-tat-tat and the fifes do loudly play, Saying, "Fare thee well, Polly my dear, I must be going away." "Now come, you gentleman soldier, and won't you marry me?" "Oh no, my dearest Polly, such things they never can 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 rat-a-tat-tat and the fifes do loudly play, Saying, "Fare thee well, Polly my dear, I must be going away." "If anyone come a-courting you, you treat 'em to a gla**. If anyone come a-courting, you say you're a country la**. You needn't even tell them that ever you played the joke, That ever you went in a sentry box wrapped up in a soldier's cloak." For the drums do go with a rat-a-tat-tat and the fifes do loudly play, Saying, "Fare thee well, Polly my dear, I must be going away." "Oh come, my gentleman soldier, why didn't you tell me so? My parents will be angry when this they come to know." When nine long months was up and past, the 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 rat-a-tat-tat and the fifes do loudly play, Saying, "Fare thee well, Polly my dear, I must be going away."