Celtic singer Charlie Zahm performs a set of Americana music at the Gloucester County Public Library in Mullica Hill, NJ on November 4, 2006.
Folksinger Charlie Zahm is based in Pennsylvania and m...
Celtic singer Charlie Zahm performs a set of Americana music at the Gloucester County Public Library in Mullica Hill, NJ on November 4, 2006.
Folksinger Charlie Zahm is based in Pennsylvania and may be reached at http://www.charliezham.com for more information.
Charlie plays the Irish drum on this one!
THE MINSTREL BOY by Thomas Moore
The Minstrel Boy to the war is gone In the ranks of death you will find him; His father's sword he hath girded on, And his wild harp slung behind him;" Land of Song!" said the warrior bard, "Tho' 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 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!"
An emotionally stirring and inspirational song, The Minstrel Boy was written by Thomas Moore (1779-1852) who set it to the melody of The Moreen, and old Irish aire. It is believed by many that Moore composed the song as a memorial to several of his friends he had met while a student at Trinity College and who had participated in the 1798 rebellion of the United Irishmen. One died in prison, another was wounded, and a third captured and hung. The song originally consisted of two verses. Due to its popularity, the song was a favorite of the many Irishmen who fought during the U.S. Civil War, primarily on the Union side. It was at this time that a third verse was added by unknown authors:
The Minstrel Boy will return we pray When we hear the news we all will cheer it, The minstrel boy will return one day, Torn perhaps in body, not in spirit. Then may he play on his harp in peace, In a world such as Heaven intended, For all the bitterness of man must cease, And ev'ry battle must be ended.
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Love the song, and an excellent rendition. I do have to say though, I would have preferred if it finished up after the second verse, which would be the end of the original version. As correctly pointed out in the description, the last verse did not come from the pen of Thomas Moore, but rather was tagged on much later by persons unknown - and unfortunately, you can really tell. The words really don't fit in with the cadence of the song. Nice sentiment and all that, but I it sounds out of place.
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That and he's wearing a Civil War uniform, so it fits the time he's apparently drawing it from.
US of A
You should make a CD!!!