Well it's of a gentleman soldier as a sentry he did stand.
He saluted the 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 rat-a-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 till daylight did appear.
The soldier rose, pulled on his clothes, saying, "Fare ye well, me dear,
For the drums they are a sounding, and the fifes they sweetly play.
If it weren't for that, dear Polly, then along with you I'd stay."

"Oh come, ye 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.

If anyone comes a courting you can treat them to a glass.
If anyone comes a courting 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.

"Oh come ye 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, this poor girl she brought shame,
She had a little militia-boy and she didn't know his name.