[The Pogues' Version]
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It's of a gentleman soldier
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as sentry he did stand
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He saluted a fair maiden
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by a waiving of his hand
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So then he boldly kissed her
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and he passed it off as a joke
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He drilled her up in the sentry box
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wrapped up in a soldier's cloke
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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 you well Polly my dear
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I must be going away
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All night they tossed and tumbled
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till the daylight did appear
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The soldier rose, put on his clothes,
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saying, Fare you well my dear
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For the drums they are a beating
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and the fifes they so sweetly play
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If it weren't for that Polly my dear
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with you I'd gladly stay
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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 you well Polly my dear
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I must be going away
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Now come you gentleman soldier,
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won't you marry me?
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Oh no my dearest Polly
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such things can never be
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for I've a wife already
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children I have three
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Two wives are allowed in the army
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but one's too many for me
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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 you well Polly my dear
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I must be going away
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If anyone comes a courting you,
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you can treat them to a glass
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If anyone comes a courting you,
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you can say you're a country lass
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You needn't ever tell them,
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nor pass it off as a joke
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That you got drilled in a sentry box
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wrapped up in a soldier's cloke
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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 you well Polly my dear
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I must be going away
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Oh it's come my gentleman soldier,
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why didn't you tell me so? My parents will be angy
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when this they come to know When nine months had been and gone
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the poor girl she brought shame
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She had a little militia boy
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and she didn't know his name
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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 you well Polly my dear
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I must be going away
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These are the lyrics as they appear on the Rum, Sodomy, & The Lash insert.
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[The Sentry Box]
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'Twas on one Sunday evening
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on sentry did I stand
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I fell in love with some pretty girl
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by shaking of her hand;
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By shaking of her hand, my boys,
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and the passing of a joke,
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I slipped her into the sentry box
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and roll'd her up in my cloak.
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O! there we toss'd and tumbl'd
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till daylight did appear
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Then I arose, put on my clothes,
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saying, "Fare you well my dear.
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The drums they are a-beating
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and the fifes so sweetly play,
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If it wasn't for that, dear Polly,
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along with you I'd stay."
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If anyone comes a-courting you,
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you treat them with a glass -
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If anyone comes a-courting you,
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say you're a country lass.
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You need not even tell them
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that ever you pass'd a joke,
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That ever you went in a sentry box
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wrapp'd up in a soldier's cloak.
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"Now come, my valiant young soldier,
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O! won't you marry me?"
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"O! no, my dearest Polly,
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such things they never can be,
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For married I am already
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and children I have three,
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Two wives are allow'd in the army,
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but one is enough for me."
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"O! now, my valiant young soldier,
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why hadn't you told me so?
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My parents they'll be angry
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if ever they come to know."
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When nine long months was up and pass'd
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this this poor girl she brought shame,
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For she had a little militia boy
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and she could not tell his name.
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The Gentleman Soldier
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Pogues |