X:1
T: the Minstrel Boy   [D]
C: melody: trad. Irish
C: lyrics: Thomas Moore (3rd verse source unknown)
%O: (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-16-4W16.abc	 2024-12-21 074937 UT
K: D
% %continueall
A | "D"D3 E | GF ED | F2 A2 | "Bm"d2 cd | "G"B2 A2 | "D"F>G AF | "A7"E4 | "D"D3 ||
w: 1.~The Min-strel boy* to the war is gone, In the ranks of death* you will find him.
A | "D"D3 E | GF ED | F2 A2 | "Bm"d2 cd | "G"B2 A2 | "D"F>G AF | "A7"E4 | "D"D3 z |]
w: His fath-er's sword* he hath gird-ed on, And his wild harp slung* be-*hind him.
   "Bm"d2 c2 | B2 cd | "A"c3 B | A3 A | "Bm"B3 F | F3 F | "G"B2 "A7"c2 | "D"d2 ||
w: "Land of Song!" cried the war-rior bard, "Tho' all the world be-tray* thee,
FE | "D"D3 E | GF ED | F2 A2 | "Bm"d2 cd | "G"B2 A2 | "D"F>G AF | "A7"E4 | "D"D3 ||
w: One* sword at least* thy* right shall guard, One* faith-ful harp* shall* praise thee!"
%
W:2.
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:3.
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.