The Minstrel Boy (To The War Has Gone)

strathspey

Key signature: Gmajor

Submitted on February 10th 2007 by Kemtri98.

This tune has been added to 79 tunebooks.

Also known as The Minstrel Boy To The War Has Gone, The Minstrel Boy.

Recordings of a tune by this name:

• Celtic Passion by John Williams, Dean Magraw
• Dance Music Of Ireland by Jerry O'Brien, Joe Derrane And The Irish All Stars
• Ireland's Harvest : A Tribute To The Golden Years Of Music In Irish America by Joe Derrane, Frankie Gavin And Brian McGrath
• Irish Accordion by Timmy Cronin
• Irish Accordion Masters by Joe Derrane And Jerry O'Brien
• Kickin' Up The Sawdust by Various Artists
• The Gallowglass Ceili Band by The Gallowglass Ceili Band
• The Kells by The Kells
• Waltons Irish Whistle CD Edition by Waltons

X: 1
T: Minstrel Boy (To The War Has Gone), The
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
R: strathspey
K: Gmaj
D| G3 A cBAG| B2 d2 g2 fg| e2 d2 Bc dB| A4 G2 z D|
G3 A cBAG| B2 d2 g2 fg| e2 d2 Bc dB| A4 G2 z G|
g2 f2 e2 fg| f2 e2 d2 z e| e2 B2 B2 e2| e2 f2 g2 z g|
G3 A cBAG|B2 d2 g2 fg| e2 d2 Bc dB| A4 G2 z2||

Lyrics

The minstrel boy to the war has gone,
In the ranks of death you'll find him;
His father's sword he hath girded on,
And his wild harp slung behind him;
"Land of Song!" cried the warrior bard,
"Tho' all the world betrays thee,
One sword, at least, thy right 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!

Note: there is a third verse that was tacked on during the American civil war, but since I don't like it much, I haven't included it.

# Posted on February 10th 2007 by Kemtri98

This is the song sung by Danny Dravot (Sean Connery) and Peachy Carnehan (Michael Caine) as they fall from the bridge in the magnificent 1975 film version of Rudyard Kipling's story "The Man Who Would Be King" If you have not seen it, you should -- and read the story also

# Posted on February 11th 2007 by Nfg

Minstrel Boy

This is normally played (and sung) as a march.
Its another Victorian creation but again I am not sure of the author.

It appears in all those wonderful pre-war collections of songs and piano pieces with titles like "Britain Sings".
Great stuff.

Again if anyone knows the composer it would be great.
Noel
Angels of the North

# Posted on February 11th 2007 by noelbats

The composer is Thomas Moore, at least according to the collection I have the tune in. Of course, a number of his pieces were older tunes to which he simply fit lyrics, so the tune itself may predate him.

# Posted on February 12th 2007 by sara g

The minstrel boy

the lyrics were set to an ancient air "The Moreen"

# Posted on February 16th 2007 by black

Chord structure for the Mintrel Boy

I am having a bit of a problem with my fellow band members over the correct chords for the tune. Is this the correct site to ask if anyone could post for me the correct chords?

Thanks,

# Posted on July 13th 2007 by Irishbrigade

Have just noticed that the bit that goes with the words "though all the world betrays thee" given here as
z e| e2 B2 B2 e2| e2 f2 g2 z
is given as
z d| e3 B B2 e2|d3 f g2 ....
in a 19 century score (http://www.libraryireland.com/Irish-Melodies/The-minstrel-boy-1.php)
and the leaflet that used to come with Generation whistles has
... ^d| e3 B B2 e2|^d3 f g2 ....
which is what we sung at school (so probably 'messed about with')

# Posted on April 27th 2009 by david_h