The Minstrel Boy Words and Music : Thomas Moore (1812)
The minstrel boy to the war is gone,
In the ranks of death you’ll find him,
His father’s sword he has girded on
And his wild harp slung behind him.
“Land of song,” sang 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 his proud soul under,
The harp he loved ne’er spoke again,
For he tore its chords asunder.
And said, “No chains shall sully thee,
Thou soul of love and bravery!
Thy songs were made for the pure and free,
They ne’er shall sound in slavery!”;
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.