Entertainment Music The Minstrel Boy Share PINTEREST Email Print Mary Turner/Getty Images News Music World Music Genres & Styles Top Picks Top Artists Rock Music Pop Music Alternative Music Classical Music Country Music Folk Music Rap & Hip Hop Rhythm & Blues Punk Music Heavy Metal Jazz Latin Music Oldies Learn More By Megan Romer Updated November 25, 2017 "The Minstrel Boy" was written by Irish poet and artist Thomas Moore. He wrote the lyrics in commemoration of friends who had died in the 1798 Irish Rebellion, and set it to the tune of an old Irish air called "The Moreen." The song quickly became a popular patriotic song, both in Ireland and among Irishmen abroad, including Irish-American Civil War Regiments. "The Minstrel Boy" Lyrics The Minstrel Boy to the war has goneIn the ranks of death you will find himHis father's sword he has girded onAnd his wild harp slung behind him"Land of song," said the warrior bard,"Though all the world betray theeOne sword at least thy rights shall guardOne faithful harp shall praise thee." The Minstrel fell but the foeman's chainCould not bring his proud soul underThe harp he loved ne'er spoke againFor he tore its chords asunderAnd said, "No chains shall sully theeThou soul of love and braveryThy songs were made for the pure and freeThey shall never sound in slavery!"