THE GENTLEMAN SOLDIER
As recorded by The Dubliners on "Drinkin' & Courtin'" (1968)

It's of a gentleman soldier; as a sentry he did stand.
He saluted a fair maid by a waving of his hand.
So boldly then he kissed her and he passed it off as a joke.
He drilled her up in the sentry box wrapped up in the soldier's cloak.

CHORUS:
And the drums did go with a rat-a-tat-tat and the pipes did loudly play.
Fare thee well, Polly, my 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 you well, my dear,
For the drums they are a-sounding and the pipes do sweetly play.
If it weren't for that, dear Polly, then along with you I'd stay." CHORUS

"Oh, come, you gentleman soldier: won't you marry me?"
"Oh, no, my dearest Polly: such things never can be,
For I've a wife already and children I have three.
Two wives are allowed in the army, but one's too many for me. CHORUS

"If anyone comes a-courting you, you can treat them to a glass.
If anyone comes a-courting 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 a soldier's cloak." CHORUS

"Oh, come, you gentleman soldier: why didn't you tell me so?
My parents will be angry when this they come to know."
And when nine long months had come and passed, the poor girl she brought shame.
She had a little militia boy and she didn't know his name.

[Corrections made by a Mudelf.]

---

Dubliners recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW1S7k_ivXg