[Verse 1]
It's of a gentleman soldier, as a sentry he did stand
He saluted a fair maiden by a waving of his hand
So then he boldly 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

[Chorus]
And the drums are going a rap a tap tap
And the fifes they loudly play
Fare thee well, Polly, my dear
I must be going away

All night they tossed and tumbled 'til the morning did appear
The soldier rose, put on his clothes and said "Farewell, my dear
For the drums are loudly beating and the fifes they sweetly play
If it weren't for that, Polly, my dear, with you, I'd gladly stay"

[Chorus]
And the drums are going a rap a tap tap
And the fifes they loudly play
Fare thee well, Polly, my dear
I must be going away

[Verse 3]
"If anyone comes a courting you, you can treat them to a glass
If anyone comes a courting you, you can say you're a country lass
You don't have to tell them that you ever played this joke
That you got drilled in a sentry box wrapped up in a soldier's cloak"
[Chorus]
And the drums are going a rap a tap tap
And the fifes they loudly play
Fare thee well, Polly, my dear
I must be going away

[Verse 4]
"Now come you, gentleman soldier, won't you marry me?
"Oh no, my dearest Polly, this thing can never be
For I've a wife already, children, I have three
Two wives are allowed in the army, but one's too many for me"

[Chorus]
And the drums are going a rap a tap tap
And the fifes they loudly play
Fare thee well, Polly, my dear
I must be going away

[Verse 5]
"Oh come, my gentleman soldier, why didn't you tell me so?
Me parents will be angry when this they come to know"
When nine months had been and gone, the poor girl she brought shame
She had a little militia boy and she didn't know his name

[Chorus]
And the drums are going a rap a tap tap
And the fifes they loudly play
Fare thee well, Polly, my dear
I must be going away
[Chorus]
And the drums are going a rap a tap tap
And the fifes they loudly play
Fare thee well, Polly, my dear
I must be going away