Thomas Moore (1779-1852)
  Air the Moreen
 Ancient Irish Air
  The minstrel boy to the war is gone,
  In the ranks of death you'll find him;
  His father's sword he hath girded on,
  And his wild harp slung behind him;
  Land  of  Song!
 cried the warrior bard,
  (Should) 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 steel
  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!
ADD LAST VERSE: (American Civil War)
  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 has intended
  For all the bitterness of man must cease
  And every battle must be ended
      
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