The Minstrel Boy
Thomas MooreAl Baker's version | |
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 God intended, For all the bitterness of man must cease, And ev'ry battle must be ended. | THE MINSTREL BOY The minstrel boy to the war is gone, with a righteous fire inside him A singer born, now a soldier grown, with his wild harp slung behind him Though eyes as brown as his turn red, and beauty falls around him Our nation's sacred flag, 'tis said, will be sigh enough to rouse him That boy, this day on his sick bed lay, 'twas his nightmares dragged him under The harp he loved ne'er spoke again, For he tore it's 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 For years he fought, but ne'er once played a refrain of faith or freedom And grew to loathe that master's name which denied him love and reason Though songs may pierce more hearts than steel, 'twould in his mind be treason His silent rage at deaths in vain could fain destroy all nations 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 Thy songs were made for the pure and free They shall never sound in slavery.. |