(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