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!"
Verse added later:
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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