THE MINSTREL BOY
by Thomas Moore
The Minstrel Boy to the war is gone
In the ranks of death you will find him;
His father's sword he hath girded on,
And his wild harp slung behind him;"
Land of Song!" said the warrior bard,
"Tho' all the world betrays thee,
One sword, at least, thy rights shall guard,
One faithful harp shall praise thee!"
The Minstrel fell! But the foeman's chain
Could not bring that proud soul under;
The harp he lov'd ne'er spoke again,
For he tore its chords asunder;
And said "No chains shall sully thee,
Thou soul of love and brav'ry!
Thy songs were made for the pure and free,
They shall never sound in slavery!"
An emotionally stirring and inspirational song, The Minstrel Boy was written by Thomas Moore (1779-1852) who set it to the melody of The Moreen, and old Irish aire. It is believed by many that Moore composed the song as a memorial to several of his friends he had met while a student at Trinity College and who had participated in the 1798 rebellion of the United Irishmen. One died in prison, another was wounded, and a third captured and hung. The song originally consisted of two verses. Due to its popularity, the song was a favorite of the many Irishmen who fought during the U.S. Civil War, primarily on the Union side. It was at this time that a third verse was added by unknown authors:
The Minstrel Boy will return we pray
When we hear the news we all will cheer it,
The minstrel boy will return one day,
Torn perhaps in body, not in spirit.
Then may he play on his harp in peace,
In a world such as Heaven intended,
For all the bitterness of man must cease,
And ev'ry battle must be ended.
25 comments:
I love this song, and was delighted to find this one your blog...
WOW MY FAVORITE CELTIC SONG!!!
I HAVE A VERSION FOR FLUTE AND IT MAKES EVENMORE SENSE WITH LYRICS THE SONG SPEAKS TO ME AND EVERYONE I KNOW!!
another fact for you: this was also sung by / a favourite of Miles O'Brien in star trek next generation
"The Wounded" My favorite Episode of ST:TNG He sang a Duet with Capt. Ben Maxwell of the U.S.S. Phoenix. A version of this song can also be found on the Black Hawk Down soundtrack as it is over the end credits of that movie.
The WOunded was a great episode. Also the version of this song on Black Hawk Down soundtrack is the best. It was on a cd returned with my songs belongings from Iraq. I felt it appropriate to name the blog the MinstrelBoy. It said so much to those that understand.
I love this celtic song. In "Black Hawk Down" movie I heard it for the first time n It was awesome...
Black Hawk Down version is the best in my opinion. In fact the entire soundtrack from BHD is fantastic, esp. while drinking a glass of Scotch.
Sean Connery and Michael Caine sing this song in the end of "The Man Who Would Be King" while standing on a rope bridge above a chasm while the Afgans chopped the ropes to send them to their deaths.
I first heard and fell in love with this song back in the 60's or early 70's, from an LP - Tommy Makem and the Clancy Brothers - a group that specialized in all kinds of Gaelic folk songs. In my early exposure to music there was a kind of musical duel,(good-natured, of course), between my parents and us kids - the Clancy brothers vs. the Beatles.
Susan
Paul Robeson sings TMB on one of his albums.
Knowing the meaning of the song to you and your family makes the pulls on the heartstrings so much stronger.
Leanderthal
Lighthouse Keeper
Apart from the great movie Black Hawk Down, the Minstrel Boy was a fitting final song. I mean the lyrics just leave a lasting impression of everything we fight for. It reminds us that war is fought for a reason and at a cost. A cost that is at times too high and a reason too low.
I learned this song in the mid sixties when I was in school in Ireland --
still makes me cry
i'm italian,but I admire Erin's pride...I love irish ballads and this one is my favorite
abjwcI just discovered this song, about six moths ago, on the FDNY pipes and drums CD. It's the last selection, "a capella". I googled for the lyrics and found this site. Then found the music on the Blackhawk Down soundtrack. I'm listening to the long version on my headphones as I write. First time I saw the movie,I was so emotionally involved with the action that I couldn't separate the soundtrack. I think that's a good indication of an effective, and affecting, soundtrack. Now when I listen to the soundtrack, images and emotions from the movie overcome me. Images and emotions from my Vietnam experience overcome me as well. I'm crying over the guys that died both times I was wounded, and the other buddies that died around me. I'm crying for the two nicest guys in my high school class (1961) who died in N. Vietnam and Cambodia. They were all good "Minstrel Boys" I'm weeping for the men and women dying in Iraq and Afganistan, and ashamed that my govt. has sent the lambs to a slaughter. Bless them
beautiful song sounds like boolavogue i love celtic songs like men of harlech and fields of athenry
Black Hawk Down version is gorgeous and performed/arranged by Joe Strummer of Clash fame when he was Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros.
Just FYI-ing.
Movie version (Black Hawk Down) is my personal favorite
This was my daughter's favorite song. We played it at her funeral last month when we laid her to rest. She was just 28-years old and there wasn't a dry eye in the chapel. VR, Maj. Scott Price, USAR (Ret.)
A song that every generation of any nationality or faith will find emotionally and mentally stirring. It embodies the spirit of fighting for a cause, for home, for those you love, and brings the reality of the cost of such fights home. We will never forget. May Gaia bless and watch over you.
This song was required learning in Holy Family School (first grade) in the early 50s
Thanks for the background - I remember that tune sticking with me when I heard it on TNG, and it came back today (March 27, 2009) when pipes and drums played it at the memorial ceremony for the 4 Oakland Policemen killed this week.
Very moving.
Gone are the days!! I'm only 55 but we used to sing this song in 'Music lessons' at Ulverston Lightbowne School. it was a regular amongst a lot of other traditional songs that faded out because of our reluctance to embrace our heritage. Then people begin to realise what we've 'lost'.
In the synopsis it is stated; "One died in prison, another was wounded, and a third captured and hung."
Paintings are 'hung' people are 'hanged'.
They also broke into a rendition of this in Brotherhood.
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