I learned it from a Spinners album.

Bert.

THE GENTLEMAN SOLDIER
(from the Spinners)

'Twas of a gentleman soldier. On a sentry he did stand.
He kindly saluted a fair maid with a waving of his hand.
So boldly then he kissed her and passed it off as a joke,
And drilled her into his sentry box, wrapped up in a soldier's cloak.

CHORUS:
And the drums they go with a rum-a-tum-tum and the fifes do loudly play.
So fare thee well, me Polly dear. I must be going away.

"Oh, come, my Gentleman soldier. Oh, won't you marry me?"
"Oh, no, my dearest Polly. This thing 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."

Chorus

"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 were up and past, this poor girl she brought shame.
She had a little militia boy and couldn't tell his name.

Chorus

"If anyone comes a-courting you, you treat them to a glass.
If anyone comes a-courting you, say you're a country lass.
You needn't even tell them you ever played this joke,
That you ever went in a sentry box wrapped up in a soldier's cloak."

Chorus