Folk Song: The Minstrel Boy
“The Minstrel Boy” has been running through my head for over a week now which is a pleasant annoyance, if I may apparently contradict myself. This is one of my favorite folk songs, but it is embarrassing to find myself constantly and compulsively humming or singing it. Be warned. If you hear it once, you may be singing it for the rest of your life, as I am evidently doomed to do.
Set to the melody of a poignant (and addictive) old Irish air, “The Moreen,” “The Minstrel Boy” is at once plaintive and triumphant. It puts me in mind of this psalmic passage:
“By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. For there that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us [required of us] mirth, [saying], Sing us [one] of the songs of Zion. How shall we sing the LORD’s song in a strange land?” Psalm 137:1-4
The Minstrel Boy
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 betray thee
‘One sword at least thy rights shall guard,
‘One faithful harp shall praise thee.’
The minstrel fell! but the foeman’s chains
Could not bring that proud soul under.
The harp he loved ne’er spoke again
For he tore its chords asunder.
And said, ‘No chain shall sully thee
‘Thou soul of love and bravery!
‘Thy songs were made for the pure and free
‘They shall never sound in slavery.’
[“The Minstrel Boy” sometimes includes a third stanza, added by an anonymous writer during the time of the American Civil War, when the song was a favorite of the Irish-American soldiers. I do not like it myself but transcribe it below in the interest of history. It has, I find, too much the quality of being “tacked on” in regards to both literary quality and sentiment.]
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.
I listened last week to Charlie Zahm’s performance of this song, and I was impressed not only by his voice but by the beautiful simplicity of the accompanying bodrán (an Irish frame drum). You can purchase “The Minstrel Boy” at Blue Behemoth, from Zahm’s album “Ballads of Bravery and Manhood.” You can also watch Zahm sing the entire song below. I have but one complaint; he sings “The harp he wore ne’er spoke again” where I far prefer the original “The harp he loved ne’er spoke again.” I am sure you too can appreciate the difference. Enjoy!
COMMENT ON THIS POST BY SENDING AN EMAIL TO THE HANDMAIDEN.
NEXT SISTER said...
As you wish.
Friday, August 13, 2010 03:45 PM
HANDMAIDEN said...
Thank you for testing, Next Sister. ;-)
Elissa, your comment should appear below.
Friday, August 13, 2010 04:40 PM
ELISSA said...
I love “The Minstrel Boy.” It’s definitely one of my all-time favorite folk songs! I have several different versions of it! I think two of my favorites are Charlie Zahm’s (he plays the bodran so well, it’s just lovely) and an instrumental version played on the harp that is so beautiful! I know what you mean about having it stuck on your mind though; I’ve had it stuck on my mind for weeks on end at times. :-)
Friday, August 13, 2010 04:41 PM
HANDMAIDEN said...
The first version I heard of “The Minstrel Boy” was sung a capella by the Choir of New College Oxford for their album “Early One Morning.” It is majestic.
My sister found that she had the tune stuck in her head days after listening only to a 25-second sample track (Charlie Zahm’s at Blue Behemoth). If that isn’t a testament to its immediate adherence...
Friday, August 13, 2010 04:58 PM
ELISSA said...
Oh, I feel foolish... I’ve been having a few issues with my new laptop... the view zooms in sometimes. (I’m pretty sure I keep accidentally pushing some sort of shortcut), and the comment form zoomed in so much earlier, that the “add comment” button disappeared. Thanks for publishing my comment for me. Oh, and Next Sister’s comment cracked me up. :-)
Saturday, August 14, 2010 01:51 PM
HANDMAIDEN said...
Next Sister is always cracking people up. Her frequent flashes of humor keep the whole family laughing.
I’m glad to know you have resolved (or at least, recognized) the problem, because I love getting your comments!
Saturday, August 14, 2010 04:10 PM
Friday, August 13, 2010