It's of a gentleman soldier as a sentry he did stand
He saluted the fair maid with a waving of his hand
So boldly did he kiss her and he passed it off as a joke
But he drilled her up in a sentry-box, wrapped up in a soldier's cloak

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

All night they tossed and tumbled till daylight did appear
The soldier rose, put on his clothes and said "Farewell, my dear
For the fifes, they are a-playing and the band is sweetly playing
If it wasn't for that, dear Polly girl, with you, I'd like to stay"

And the drums, they go a-rat-ta-ta-tat
And the fifes do 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 can never be
For I've a wife already and children I have three
Two wives aren't allowed in the army and one's too many for me

Oh come, you gentleman soldier, why didn't you tell me so?
Me parents will be angry when this they come to know
For nine long months, she suffered, she finally brought the shame
And she had a little militia boy and didn't know his name
And the drums, they go a-rat-ta-ta-tat
And the fifes do loudly play
Fare thee well, Polly, me dear
I must be going away

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