Gentleman Soldier Luke Kelly

It's of a gentlemen soldier as a sentry he did stand
He saluted the fair maid be a wavin' of the hand
So boldly then he kissed and he passed it off as a joke
He drilled her up in the sentry box, wrapped up a the
Soldiers coat
And the drums did go with a rat-ta-ta-tat and the fifes
Did 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, said fare thee
Well me dear
For the drums they are a pounding and the fifes did
Sweetly play
If it weren't for that dear Polly, then along with you
I'd stay
And the drums did go with a rat-ta-ta-tat and the fifes
Did loudly play
Fare thee well Polly me dear I must be going away

Oh come you gentlemen soldier, "Won't you marry me?"
"Oh no me dearest, Polly. Such things never can be.?
"I've a wife already and children I have three
Two wives are allowed in army but one is too many for
Me.?
And the drums did go with a rat-ta-ta-tat and the fifes
Did loudly play
Fare thee well Polly me dear I must be going away