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