Lyrics and Chords

The Minstrel Boy

The lyrics to The Minstrel Boy tell the story of young man with no military experience who goes to fight for his country’s freedom.

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It’s a stirring, idealistic song that can evoke a sense of patriotism in people of all nationalities across the world.

The lyrics are by Irish writer Thomas Moore and the melody is the Irish traditional tune, The Moreen.

Chord Converter
Our chord converter enables you to play this song in any key.

The chords are presented here in the C Major, the key used by Shane MacGowan in his version of the song.

Danny Quinn plays the Minstrel Boy in E Flat. Place a capo on the third fret of your guitar and play the chords printed here if you would like to play the song in EFlat.

Use our key converter if you would like to play the chords in other keys.

The Minstrel Boy Lyrics and chords in C Major

 

The  

C 

Minstrel 

 

 

F 

Boy to the  

C 

war is  

Am 

gone,

 

In the  

F 

ranks of  

C 

death you’ll  

G7 

find 

 

 

C 

him,

 

His  

C 

father’s 

 

 

F 

sword he has  

C 

girded 

 

 

Am 

on,

 

And his  

F 

wild harp  

C 

slung 

 

be

G7 

hind 

 

 

C 

him,

 

Am 

Land of  

F 

Song said the  

Em 

warrior 

 

 

G 

bard,

 

Though  

Am 

all the  

C 

world 

 

be

F 

trays 

 

 

C 

thee,

 

One  

C 

sword at  

F 

least thy  

C 

rights shall  

Am 

guard,

 

One  

F 

faithful 

 

 

C 

harp shall  

G7 

praise 

 

 

C 

thee.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Minstrel fell but the foeman’s chain

Could not bring his proud soul under,

The harp he loved never 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.

Additional verse

This is an additional verse, not written by Thomas Moore but probably added by an unknown author at the time of the American Civil War.

The song had been brought to the United States by Irish immigrants and became very popular with American Army regiments.

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 every battle must be ended.

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