Home Page »  S »  Steeleye Span
   

Gentleman Soldier Lyrics


Steeleye Span Gentleman Soldier


oh, it's of a gentleman soldier, as a sentry he did
stand.
he saluted a fair maid with a waving of his hand.
so boldly then he kissed her, and passed it off as a
joke.
then he drilled her into the sentry box wrapped up in a
soldier's cloak.

and the drums did go ratter-tat-tat and the fifes so
loudly play
saying "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-beating, the fifes still
loudly play;
if it weren't for that, polly me dear, with you i'd
long to stay.

and the drums did go ratter-tat-tat and the fifes so
loudly play
saying "fare thee well, polly me dear, i must be going
away

oh come, me gentleman soldier, now won't you marry me?
oh no, me dearest polly, such things they never can be,
for married i am already and children i have three;
two wifes are allowed in the army, but one's too many
for me.

and the drums did go ratter-tat-tat and the fifes so
loudly play
saying "fare thee well, polly me dear, i must be going
away

oh, if anyone come a-courting you, you treat him to a
glass.
if anyone come a-courting you, you say you're a country
lass.
you needn't even tell them that ever you've laid a
joke.
that ever you went into a sentry box, wrapped up in a
soldier's cloak.

and the drums did go ratter-tat-tat and the fifes so
loudly play
saying "fare thee well, polly me dear, i must be going
away

instrumental

oh come, me gentleman soldier, why didn't you tell me
so?
me parents they'll be angry when this they come to
know.
when nine long months were up and past, the young girl
she brought shame
she had a little militia boy and she couldn't tell his
name.

and the drums did go ratter-tat-tat and the fifes so
loudly play
saying "fare thee well, polly me dear, i must be going
away



shining a new light: how modern concert & studio lighting transforms music
Shining A New Light: How Modern Concert & Studio Lighting Transforms Music
Sasha Mednikova - 25 Jun 2025
ed sheeran drops “drive” for f1: the album with rock icons backing him
Ed Sheeran Drops “drive” For F1: The Album With Rock Icons Backing Him
Evren E. - 20 Jun 2025
will smith shares emotional on-stage moment with son jaden during father’s day concert
Will Smith Shares Emotional On-stage Moment With Son Jaden During Father’s Day Concert
Evren E. - 16 Jun 2025
mariah carey returns to the spotlight with daring new “type dangerous” music video
Mariah Carey Returns To The Spotlight With Daring New “type Dangerous” Music Video
Sasha Mednikova - 10 Jun 2025
the harmony of color and sound: american singers shaping contemporary art
The Harmony Of Color And Sound: American Singers Shaping Contemporary Art
Sasha Mednikova - 04 Jun 2025
Browse: