Gentleman soldier    (Listen to sample)

 

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1. Well, I saw the gentleman soldier, as a sentry he did stand,

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    he saluted the fair maid by a waving of his hand.

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    So boldly then he kissed her and he passed it off as a joke,

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    he drilled her up to the sentry box, wrapped up in a soldier's coat.

 

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And the drums they go with a rat-a-ta-tat,

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and the pipes they loudly play.

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Fare thee well, Polly, me dear, I must be going away.

 

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2. All night they tossed and tumbled till daylight did appear,

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    the soldier rose, put on his clothes, said: 'Fare ye well, me dear'.

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    For the drums they are a sounding, and the pipes they sweetly play,

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    if it weren't for that, my Polly, then along with you I'd stay.

 

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3. 'O come, ye gentleman soldier, won't you marry me?'

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    'Oh no, me dearest Polly such things never can be.

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    For I have a wife already and children I have three,

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    two wives are allowed in the army, but one is too many for me'.

 

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4. 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 ever you played this joke,

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    that you were drilled in a sentry box, wrapped up in a soldier's coat.

 

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5. 'Oh come ye gentleman soldier, why didn't you tell me so,

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    my parents will be angry when this they come to know'.

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    And when nine long months had come and passed,

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    and purgatory got shame,

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    she had a little millitia boy, and she didn't know his name.

 

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    (Dubliners)