One of the most beautiful of all Irish songs, 1813.
words by Thomas Moore
music: anonymous, originally called “The Moreen”
These lyrics are probably about the Irish Rebellion of 1798. From Popular Irish Songs (Dover collection): This song is an example of Thomas Moore’s gently expressed sympathies with the Irish resistance to English rule, the minstrel’s harp being the unmistakable symbol of Ireland. The lyric’s discretion is such, however, that it could be sung with impunity in English drawing rooms.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- 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!” said the warrior bard
“Though 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 shall never sound in slavery”
Sung here by Fred Feild: