The Minstrel Boy Song Lyrics And Guitar Chords
The Minstrel Boy Song Lyrics And Guitar Chords. Written by Thomas Moore and made famous by The Clancy Brothers And Tommy Makem, timing 4/4. Guitar chords for this Clancy Brothers version worked out by Marc Patrick Fahrbach. The Minstrel Boy Tin Whistle Sheet Music .
4/4 (By Thomas Moore, Clancy Brothers & Makem’s Version)
Intro: Drums
The (C)Minstrel (Am)Boy to the (C)war is (F)gone,
In the (C)ranks of (Am)death you'll (G)find (C)him,
His (C)father's (Am)sword he has (C)girded (F)on,
And his (C)wild harp (Am)slung be(G)hind (C)him,
(Am)"Land of (F)Song"! said the (Em)warrior bard,
"Tho' (Am)all the world be(F)trays (C)thee,
One (C)sword at (Am)least thy (C)rights shall (F)guard,
One (C)faithful (Am)harp shall (G)praise (C)thee"!
C-Am-C-F
C-Am-G-C
The (C)Minstrel (Am)fell but the (C)foeman's (F)chain
Could not (C)bring his (Am)proud soul (G)un(C)der,
The (C)harp he (Am)loved ne'er (C)spoke a(F)gain
For he (C)tore its (Am)chords a(G)sun(C)der,
And (Am)said "No (F)chains shall (Em)sully thee,
Thou (Am)soul of love and (F)brave(C)ry!
Thy (C)songs were (Am)made for the (C)pure and (F)free
They shall (C)never (Am)sound in (G)slave(C)ry".
C-Am-G-C
Additional Verse (added during the US Civil War, not used by the Clancy Bros. & Makem)
The (C)Minstrel (Am)Boy will re(C)turn we (F)pray
When we (C)hear the (Am)news we all will (G)cheer (C)it,
The (C)minstrel (Am)boy will re(C)turn one (F)day,
Torn per(C)haps in (Am)body, not in (G)spi(C)rit.
Then (Am)may he (F)play on his (Em)harp in peace,
In a (Am)world such as Heaven in(F)ten(C)ded,
For (C)all the (Am)bitterness of (C)man must (F)cease,
And (C)ev'ry (Am)battle must be (G)en(C)ded
Intro: Drums
The (C)Minstrel (Am)Boy to the (C)war is (F)gone,
In the (C)ranks of (Am)death you'll (G)find (C)him,
His (C)father's (Am)sword he has (C)girded (F)on,
And his (C)wild harp (Am)slung be(G)hind (C)him,
(Am)"Land of (F)Song"! said the (Em)warrior bard,
"Tho' (Am)all the world be(F)trays (C)thee,
One (C)sword at (Am)least thy (C)rights shall (F)guard,
One (C)faithful (Am)harp shall (G)praise (C)thee"!
C-Am-C-F
C-Am-G-C
The (C)Minstrel (Am)fell but the (C)foeman's (F)chain
Could not (C)bring his (Am)proud soul (G)un(C)der,
The (C)harp he (Am)loved ne'er (C)spoke a(F)gain
For he (C)tore its (Am)chords a(G)sun(C)der,
And (Am)said "No (F)chains shall (Em)sully thee,
Thou (Am)soul of love and (F)brave(C)ry!
Thy (C)songs were (Am)made for the (C)pure and (F)free
They shall (C)never (Am)sound in (G)slave(C)ry".
C-Am-G-C
Additional Verse (added during the US Civil War, not used by the Clancy Bros. & Makem)
The (C)Minstrel (Am)Boy will re(C)turn we (F)pray
When we (C)hear the (Am)news we all will (G)cheer (C)it,
The (C)minstrel (Am)boy will re(C)turn one (F)day,
Torn per(C)haps in (Am)body, not in (G)spi(C)rit.
Then (Am)may he (F)play on his (Em)harp in peace,
In a (Am)world such as Heaven in(F)ten(C)ded,
For (C)all the (Am)bitterness of (C)man must (F)cease,
And (C)ev'ry (Am)battle must be (G)en(C)ded
Key of D
The (D)Minstrel (Bm)Boy to the (D)war is (G)gone,
In the (D)ranks of (Bm)death you'll (A)find (D)him,
His (D)father's (Bm)sword he has (D)girded (G)on,
And his (D)wild harp (Bm)slung be(A)hind (D)him,
(Bm)"Land of (G)Song"! said the (F#m)warrior bard,
"Tho' (Bm)all the world be(G)trays (D)thee,
One (D)sword at (Bm)least thy (D)rights shall (G)guard,
One (D)faithful (Bm)harp shall (A)praise (D)thee"!
Key of G
The (G)Minstrel (Em)Boy to the (G)war is (C)gone,
In the (G)ranks of (Em)death you'll (D)find (G)him,
His (G)father's (Em)sword he has (G)girded (C)on,
And his (G)wild harp (Em)slung be(D)hind (G)him,
(Em)"Land of (C)Song"! said the (Bm)warrior bard,
"Tho' (Em)all the world be(C)trays (G)thee,
One (G)sword at (Em)least thy (G)rights shall (C)guard,
One (G)faithful (Em)harp shall (D)praise (G)thee"!
The (D)Minstrel (Bm)Boy to the (D)war is (G)gone,
In the (D)ranks of (Bm)death you'll (A)find (D)him,
His (D)father's (Bm)sword he has (D)girded (G)on,
And his (D)wild harp (Bm)slung be(A)hind (D)him,
(Bm)"Land of (G)Song"! said the (F#m)warrior bard,
"Tho' (Bm)all the world be(G)trays (D)thee,
One (D)sword at (Bm)least thy (D)rights shall (G)guard,
One (D)faithful (Bm)harp shall (A)praise (D)thee"!
Key of G
The (G)Minstrel (Em)Boy to the (G)war is (C)gone,
In the (G)ranks of (Em)death you'll (D)find (G)him,
His (G)father's (Em)sword he has (G)girded (C)on,
And his (G)wild harp (Em)slung be(D)hind (G)him,
(Em)"Land of (C)Song"! said the (Bm)warrior bard,
"Tho' (Em)all the world be(C)trays (G)thee,
One (G)sword at (Em)least thy (G)rights shall (C)guard,
One (G)faithful (Em)harp shall (D)praise (G)thee"!
The Minstrel Boy is a traditional Irish patriotic song that has been passed down through generations and has become a staple in Irish culture. Composed by Thomas Moore in the early 19th century, the song tells the story of a young Irish minstrel who sacrifices his life for his country's freedom. With its haunting melody and powerful lyrics, The Minstrel Boy has captured the hearts and minds of people around the world, making it one of the most beloved and enduring songs in Irish history.
The Minstrel Boy was written during a time when Ireland was under British rule, and the Irish people were yearning for independence. It was first published in Moore's collection of Irish melodies, titled 'A Selection of Irish Melodies with Symphonies and Accompaniments' in 1807. However, it was not until the 19th century that the song gained widespread popularity, as it was often sung during political rallies and gatherings, serving as a symbol of resistance and patriotism.
The song is believed to have been inspired by an event that took place during the 1798 Irish Rebellion, where a young Irish piper named John McCann bravely played his pipes to rally and motivate the Irish rebels as they fought against the British army. McCann's bravery and sacrifice deeply moved Moore, and it is said that he wrote The Minstrel Boy in his honor.
The Minstrel Boy is a call to arms, urging young Irish men to take up arms and fight for their country's freedom. The lyrics of the song are powerful and evocative, painting a vivid picture of a young minstrel who is willing to lay down his life for his country. The first verse sets the tone for the rest of the song, with the lines 'The minstrel boy to the war is gone / In the ranks of death you'll find him'. These lines capture the bravery and determination of the young minstrel, who is ready to face death in the name of freedom.
The song's chorus, 'Land of Song! said the warrior bard / Though all the world betrays thee / One sword, at least, thy rights shall guard / One faithful harp shall praise thee!' is a powerful statement of defiance and loyalty to Ireland. It reflects the strong sense of national pride and the determination of the Irish people to fight for their country's independence.
The Minstrel Boy is also a song of sacrifice and martyrdom. The second verse describes the young minstrel's final moments as he sings his last song before going into battle. The line 'But the minstrel boy will return no more' foreshadows his tragic fate, and the following lines 'But the thoughts of his childhood shall yet restore / His soul to that peace he quitted before' highlight the minstrel's love for his country and his willingness to sacrifice everything for its freedom.
The song's enduring appeal lies in its ability to evoke strong emotions in its listeners. The haunting melody, combined with the powerful lyrics, creates a sense of nostalgia and pride in listeners, whether they are Irish or not. The Minstrel Boy has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including famous Irish tenor John McCormack and American folk singer Burl Ives, further cementing its place in popular culture.
Moreover, The Minstrel Boy has been featured in various films, TV shows, and even video games, making it a recognizable and influential piece of music beyond the borders of Ireland. It has become a symbol of Irish identity and has been used to commemorate significant events in Irish history, such as the Easter Rising of 1916 and the Irish Civil War.
In conclusion, The Minstrel Boy is more than just a song; it is a symbol of Irish patriotism, sacrifice, and resilience. Its powerful lyrics and haunting melody have stood the test of time, and it continues to be a source of inspiration and pride for the Irish people. Through its enduring popularity and cultural significance, The Minstrel Boy has become an integral part of Irish heritage and will continue to be passed down for generations to come.
The Minstrel Boy was written during a time when Ireland was under British rule, and the Irish people were yearning for independence. It was first published in Moore's collection of Irish melodies, titled 'A Selection of Irish Melodies with Symphonies and Accompaniments' in 1807. However, it was not until the 19th century that the song gained widespread popularity, as it was often sung during political rallies and gatherings, serving as a symbol of resistance and patriotism.
The song is believed to have been inspired by an event that took place during the 1798 Irish Rebellion, where a young Irish piper named John McCann bravely played his pipes to rally and motivate the Irish rebels as they fought against the British army. McCann's bravery and sacrifice deeply moved Moore, and it is said that he wrote The Minstrel Boy in his honor.
The Minstrel Boy is a call to arms, urging young Irish men to take up arms and fight for their country's freedom. The lyrics of the song are powerful and evocative, painting a vivid picture of a young minstrel who is willing to lay down his life for his country. The first verse sets the tone for the rest of the song, with the lines 'The minstrel boy to the war is gone / In the ranks of death you'll find him'. These lines capture the bravery and determination of the young minstrel, who is ready to face death in the name of freedom.
The song's chorus, 'Land of Song! said the warrior bard / Though all the world betrays thee / One sword, at least, thy rights shall guard / One faithful harp shall praise thee!' is a powerful statement of defiance and loyalty to Ireland. It reflects the strong sense of national pride and the determination of the Irish people to fight for their country's independence.
The Minstrel Boy is also a song of sacrifice and martyrdom. The second verse describes the young minstrel's final moments as he sings his last song before going into battle. The line 'But the minstrel boy will return no more' foreshadows his tragic fate, and the following lines 'But the thoughts of his childhood shall yet restore / His soul to that peace he quitted before' highlight the minstrel's love for his country and his willingness to sacrifice everything for its freedom.
The song's enduring appeal lies in its ability to evoke strong emotions in its listeners. The haunting melody, combined with the powerful lyrics, creates a sense of nostalgia and pride in listeners, whether they are Irish or not. The Minstrel Boy has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including famous Irish tenor John McCormack and American folk singer Burl Ives, further cementing its place in popular culture.
Moreover, The Minstrel Boy has been featured in various films, TV shows, and even video games, making it a recognizable and influential piece of music beyond the borders of Ireland. It has become a symbol of Irish identity and has been used to commemorate significant events in Irish history, such as the Easter Rising of 1916 and the Irish Civil War.
In conclusion, The Minstrel Boy is more than just a song; it is a symbol of Irish patriotism, sacrifice, and resilience. Its powerful lyrics and haunting melody have stood the test of time, and it continues to be a source of inspiration and pride for the Irish people. Through its enduring popularity and cultural significance, The Minstrel Boy has become an integral part of Irish heritage and will continue to be passed down for generations to come.
