Chords with lyrics
Tuning: Standard (
E MajorE 
A augmentedA 
D MajorD 
G+G 
BB E MajorE)
Intro:
G+G
E MajorE |------------------------|
BB |---0------0------0------|
G+G |--0-0----0-0----0-0---0-|
D MajorD |-0---0--0---0--0---0-0--|
A augmentedA |------------------------|
E MajorE |------------------------|
Verse 1:
G+G D MajorD G+G
It's of a Gentleman Soldier as a sentry he did stand
D MajorD G+G
He saluted a fair maiden by a waving of his hand
D MajorD G+G D MajorD
So then he boldly kissed her and he passed it off as a joke
G+G D MajorD G+G
He drilled her up in the sentry box wrapped up in a soldier's cloak
Chorus:
G+G D MajorD G+G D MajorD
And the drums are going a rap a tap, tap and the fifes they loudly play
G+G D MajorD G+G
Fare you well Polly my dear, I must be going away
Verse 2:
G+G D MajorD G+G
All night they tossed and tumbled till the morning did appear
D MajorD G+G
The soldier rose, put on his clothes, and said farewell my dear
D MajorD G+G D MajorD
For the drums are loudly beating and the fifes they sweetly play
G+G D MajorD G+G
If it weren't for that, Polly my dear, with you I'd gladly stay
Chorus:
G+G D MajorD G+G D MajorD
And the drums are going a rap a tap, tap and the fifes they loudly play
G+G D MajorD G+G
Fare you well Polly my dear, I must be going away
Verse 3:
G+G D MajorD G+G
If anyone comes a courting you, you can treat them to a glass
D MajorD G+G
If anyone comes a courting you, you can say you're a country lass
D MajorD G+G D MajorD
You don't have to tell them, that you ever played this joke
G+G D MajorD G+G
That you got drilled in a sentry box wrapped up in a soldier's cloak
Chorus:
G+G D MajorD G+G D MajorD
And the drums are going a rap a tap, tap and the fifes they loudly play
G+G D MajorD G+G
Fare you well Polly my dear, I must be going away
Instrumental:
D MajorD
E MajorE |---------------|-------------------| or |---3---3-5-7-5-|-7-8-10---7-5-3-2-3-|
BB |---------------|-0-1-3-------------| |-3---3---------|--------8-----------|
G+G |---0---0-2-4-2-|-------0-4-2-0---0-| |---------------|--------------------|
D MajorD |-0---0---------|---------------4---| |---------------|--------------------|
A augmentedA |---------------|-------------------| |---------------|--------------------|
E MajorE |---------------|-------------------| |---------------|--------------------|
Verse 4:
G+G D MajorD G+G
Now come you Gentleman Soldier, won't you marry me?
D MajorD G+G
Oh no my dearest Polly this thing can never be
D MajorD G+G D MajorD
For I've a wife already and children I have three
G+G D MajorD G+G
Two wives are allowed in the army, but one's too many for me
Chorus:
G+G D MajorD G+G D MajorD
And the drums are going a rap a tap, tap and the fifes they loudly play
G+G D MajorD G+G
Fare you well Polly my dear, I must be going away
Verse 5:
G+G D MajorD G+G
Oh it's come my Gentleman Soldier, why didn't you tell me so?
D MajorD G+G
My parents will be angry when this they come to know
D MajorD G+G D MajorD
And when nine months had been and gone the poor girl she brought shame
G+G D MajorD G+G
She had a little militia boy and she didn't know his name
Chorus:
G+G D MajorD G+G D MajorD
And the drums are going a rap a tap, tap and the fifes they loudly play
G+G D MajorD G+G
Fare you well Polly my dear, I must be going away
G+G D MajorD G+G D MajorD
And the drums are going a rap a tap, tap and the fifes they loudly play
G+G D MajorD G+G
Fare you well Polly my dear, I must be going away
