Pogues - The Gentleman Soldier Lyrics
[the pogues version]--------------------------------Its of a gentleman soldierAs sentry he did standHe saluted a fair maidenBy a waiving of his handSo then he boldly kissed herAnd he passed it off as a jokeHe drilled her up in the sentry boxWrapped up in a soldiers clokeAnd the drums are going a rap a tap tapAnd the fifes they loudly playFare you well polly my dearI must be going awayAll night they tossed and tumbledTill the daylight did appearThe soldier rose, put on his clothes,Saying, fare you well my dearFor the drums they are a beatingAnd the fifes they so sweetly playIf it werent for that polly my dearWith you Id gladly stayAnd the drums are going a rap a tap tapAnd the fifes they loudly playFare you well polly my dearI must be going awayNow come you gentleman soldier,Wont you marry me?Oh no my dearest pollySuch things can never beFor Ive a wife alreadyChildren I have threeTwo wives are allowed in the armyBut ones too many for meAnd the drums are going a rap a tap tapAnd the fifes they loudly playFare you well polly my dearI must be going awayIf anyone comes a courting you,You can treat them to a glassIf anyone comes a courting you,You can say youre a country lassYou neednt ever tell them,Nor pass it off as a jokeThat you got drilled in a sentry boxWrapped up in a soldiers clokeAnd the drums are going a rap a tap tapAnd the fifes they loudly playFare you well polly my dearI must be going awayOh its come my gentleman soldier,Why didnt you tell me so? my parents will be angyWhen this they come to know when nine months had been and goneThe poor girl she brought shameShe had a little militia boyAnd she didnt know his nameAnd the drums are going a rap a tap tapAnd the fifes they loudly playFare you well polly my dearI must be going awayThese are the lyrics as they appear on the rum, sodomy, & the lash insert.[the sentry box]---------------------------------twas on one sunday eveningOn sentry did I standI fell in love with some pretty girlBy shaking of her hand;By shaking of her hand, my boys,And the passing of a joke,I slipped her into the sentry boxAnd rolld her up in my cloak.O! there we tossd and tumbldTill daylight did appearThen I arose, put on my clothes,Saying, fare you well my dear.The drums they are a-beatingAnd the fifes so sweetly play,If it wasnt for that, dear polly,Along with you Id stay.If anyone comes a-courting you,You treat them with a glass -If anyone comes a-courting you,Say youre a country lass.You need not even tell themThat ever you passd a joke,That ever you went in a sentry boxWrappd up in a soldiers cloak.Now come, my valiant young soldier,O! wont you marry me?O! no, my dearest polly,Such things they never can be,For married I am alreadyAnd children I have three,Two wives are allowd in the army,But one is enough for me.O! now, my valiant young soldier,Why hadnt you told me so?My parents theyll be angryIf ever they come to know.When nine long months was up and passdThis this poor girl she brought shame,For she had a little militia boyAnd she could not tell his name.
