Pyrates! have requisitioned countless well known folk tunes from sailors of ages past including songs of the sea, Bawdy Ballads, Jaunty Jigs, Irish Ditties, Sea Shanties, Drinking Songs and arr’cappella folk tunes that’ll be sure ta have yez tappin’ yer foot and singing along in no time!
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Gentleman Soldier
Pyrates! Lyrics
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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 they go rat-a-tat-tat and the fifes still loudly play
Saying, "Fare thee well, Polly me dear, I must be going away."
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 they go rat-a-tat-tat and the fifes still 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 wives are allowed in the army, but one′s too many for me."
And the drums they go rat-a-tat-tat and the fifes still 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 they go rat-a-tat-tat and the fifes still loudly play
Saying, "Fare thee well, Polly me dear, I must be going away."
"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 they go rat-a-tat-tat and the fifes still loudly play
Saying, "Fare thee well, Polly me dear, I must be going away."
The song "Gentleman Soldier" by Pyrates! is a folk ballad that tells the story of a gentleman sailor who became a sentry and met a fair maiden who he kissed and later drilled into the sentry box wrapped up in a soldier's cloak. The song is designed to be sung by a group, creating a harmony that evokes the sound of fifes and drums. The song has a catchy tune and tells a story that brings to mind the futility of war and the consequences of impulsive actions.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the soldier cannot stay with the maiden as he must leave for war, which is symbolized with the repeated chorus of "Fare thee well, Polly me dear, I must be going away." The soldier leaves with a regretful sentiment, knowing he cannot stay with Polly. As the song progresses, it becomes clearer that the soldier cannot stay with the maiden as he must leave for the war, which is symbolized with the repeated chorus of "Fare thee well, Polly me dear, I must be going away." The song highlights the way that soldiers were often deceived by manipulative women, who used their beauty and charm to entice them into unwise actions.
In conclusion, "Gentleman Soldier" is a tale of love, war, and the consequences of impulsive actions. The song is designed to be performed by a group, and it tells a story that highlights the futility of war and the danger of trusting those who you shouldn't trust. The song's catchy tune and its memorable chorus make it one of the most popular traditional folk songs ever written.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, it's of a gentleman sailor, as a sentry he did stand
There was a sailor who was standing guard as a lookout
He saluted a fair maid with a waving of his hand
He greeted a beautiful woman by waving his hand to her
So boldly then he kissed her, and passed it off as a joke
He had the courage to kiss her, pretending it was a joke
Then he drilled her into the sentry box wrapped up in a soldier's cloak
He had sex with her in the guardhouse wrapped in his coat
And the drums they go rat-a-tat-tat and the fifes still loudly play Saying, "Fare thee well, Polly me dear, I must be going away."
The drums are playing and saying goodbye to Polly as he has to leave
All night they tossed and tumbled, till daylight did appear
They spent the whole night together until morning
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."
The soldier got dressed and left saying that he would stay if he could
Oh come, me gentleman soldier, now won't you marry me?
Polly asked the soldier to marry her
"Oh no, me dearest Polly, such things they never can be For married I am already and children I have three Two wives are allowed in the army, but one's too many for me."
The soldier said he couldn't marry her because he was already married with children
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.
Polly was advised to entertain anyone who asked her out but not to reveal what happened between her and the soldier in the guardhouse
Oh come, me gentleman soldier, why didn't you tell me so? Me parents they'll be angry when this they come to know.
Polly was upset that the soldier didn't tell her about his marriage and worried about her parents' reaction
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
Nine months later, Polly gave birth to a baby boy whom she couldn't name, bringing disgrace upon herself
And the drums they go rat-a-tat-tat and the fifes still loudly play Saying, "Fare thee well, Polly me dear, I must be going away."
The drums and fife play again, bidding farewell to Polly as the soldier leaves.
Writer(s): David Gedrych
Contributed by Elena I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.