X:1
T: the Minstrel Boy   [D]
C: Lyrics by Thomas More.
O: Third verse, source unknown (American Civil War).
R: march
Z: John Chambers <jc@trillian.mit.edu>
M: 2/4
L: 1/8
F:http://john-chambers.us/~jc/music/session/PF/Belmont/Minstrel_Boy/Minstrel_Boy-D-16-2W16.abc	 2024-12-21 075525 UT
K: D
A !segno!|:\
 "D"D3 E | GF ED | F2 A2 | d2 cd |\
 "G"B2 A2 | "D"F>G AF | "A7"E4 | "D"D3 :|
[|\
"Bm"d2 c2 | B2 cd | "A"c3 B | A3 A |\
"Bm"B3 F | F3 F | "G"B2 "A7"c2 | "D"d2 "d.C."FE |]
W: The Minstrel boy to the war is gone,
W: In the ranks of death you'll find him;
W: His father's sword he hath girded on,
W: And his wild harp slung behind him;
W: "Land of Song!" cried the warrior bard,
W: "Tho' all the world betrays thee,
W: One sword, at least, thy right shall guard,
W: One faithful harp shall praise thee!"
W:
W: The Minstrel fell! But the foeman's chain
W: Could not bring that proud soul under;
W: The harp he lov'd ne'er spoke again,
W: For he tore its chords asunder;
W: And said “No chains shall sully thee,
W: Thou soul of love and brav'ry!
W: Thy songs were made for the pure and free
W: They shall never sound in slavery!
W:
W: The minstrel boy will return one day,
W: When we hear the news, we will cheer it.
W: The minstrel boy will return we pray,
W: Torn in body, perhaps, but not in spirit.
W: Then may he play his harp in peace,
W: In a world such as Heaven intended,
W: For every quarrel of Man must cease,
W: And every battle shall be ended.