Well, 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 a soldier's cloak

And the drums they go with a rata ta tat
And the fifes they loudly play
Fare thee well Polly me dear, I must be going away

All night they tossed and tumbled til daylight did appear
The soldier rose, put on his clothes, saying, fare you well me dear
For the drums they are a sounding and the fifes does sweetly play
If it weren't for that dear Polly then along with you I'd stay

And the drums they go with a rata ta tat
And the fifes they loudly play
Fare thee well Polly me dear, I must be going away

Oh, come you gentleman soldier won't you marry me
Oh no, me 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

And the drums they go with a rata ta tat
And the fifes they loudly play
Fare thee well Polly me dear, I must be going away

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 a sentry box wrapped up in a soldier's cloak

And the drums they go with a rata ta tat
And the fifes they loudly play
Fare thee well Polly me dear, I must be going away

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 hade come and passed the poor girl she brought shame
She had a little militia boy and she didn't know his name

And the drums they go with a rata ta tat
And the fifes they loudly play
Fare thee well Polly me dear, I must be going away