(Traditional)
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It's of a gentleman soldier as a sentry he did stand
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He saluted a fair maiden by a waving of his hand
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And then he boldly kissed her and he passed it off as a joke
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He drilled her up in a sentry box wrapped up in a soldier's cloak
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And the drums are going a rap a tap tap
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And the fifes they loudly play
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Fare thee well, Polly me dear
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I must be going away
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All night they tossed and tumbled till the morning did appear
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The soldier rose, put on his clothes, and said, "Fare well my dear
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For the drums are loudly beating and the fifes they sweetly play
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If it weren't for that, Polly me dear, with you I'd gladly stay"
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If anyone comes a courting you, you can treat them to a glass
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If anyone comes a courting you, you can say you're a country lass
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You don't have to tell them that you ever played this joke
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That you got drilled in a sentry box wrapped up in a soldier's cloak
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"Now come you gentleman soldier, won't you marry me?"
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"Oh no my dearest Polly, such things can never be
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For I've a wife already and children I have three
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Two wives are allowed in the army, but one's too many for me"
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"Oh it's come me gentleman soldier, why didn't you tell me so?
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Me parents will be angry when this they come to know"
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And when nine months had been and gone the poor girl she felt shamed
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She had a little militia boy and she didn't know his name
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The Gentleman Soldier
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The Pogues |