A Short History of The Song "Minstrel Boy"

Thomas Moore

The song Minstrel Boy is an "emotionally stirring and inspirational song" that was first written by Thomas Moore at the beginning of the 19th century and was set to the old Irish tune The Moreen. Moore wrote the song in honor of three friends who had fought in the 1798 "Irish Rebellion." According to one source, "One died in prison, another was wounded, and a third captured and hung." This is what inspired him to write The Minstrel Boy.

Originally the song was only two verses. The first verse is about the "Minstrel Boy"/Balladeer who goes forth to the battle and his resolve to guard the "Land of Song" (Ireland). The second verse speaks of his death at the hands of the foe while tearing the cords from his harp, saying, "No chains shall sully thee, thou soul of love and bravery! Thy songs were writ for the pure and free, they shall never sound in slavery!" This was heroism at its best.

The song became a national favorite among the Scots and the Irish during the War Between the States. During this time, an unknown soldier added another verse which speaks of the day when the Minstrel Boy shall return and when "all the bitterness of man must cease, and every battle must be ended."

The tune of Minstrel boy is probably best known for its role in the film The Man Who Would Be King, which starred Sir Sean Connery. The film was based on a book of the same title, which was written by Rudyard Kipling. In the film, director John Huston chose to switch out the classic words of The Minstrel Boy and inserted the words from the hymn The Son of God Goes Forth To War to the same tune. The hymn was written by Reginald Heber and actually fits the film's underlying theme much better than the original words from The Minstrel Boy. Some have said that the words from the hymn don't fit the tune to Minstrel Boy very well, but when sung properly, they match up quite nicely.

One of the best versions of The Minstrel Boy is sung by Charlie Zahm "Americas Foremost Balladeer." He has recorded a number of albums, a number of them with beautiful versions of this mournful ballad. Recently while performing at the SAICFF he sang the version sung by Connery in The Man who Would be King. It really was great to hear Son of God sung to Minstrel Boy, once again.