Capo I

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The Minstrel Boy to the war is gone
                D5              A5    D5
In the ranks of death you will find him;
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His father's sword he hath girded on,
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And his wild harp slung behind him;"
B5      G5               A5       D5
Land of Song!" said the warrior bard,
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"Tho' all the world betrays thee,
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One sword, at least, thy rights shall guard,
    D5                   A5      D5
One faithful harp shall praise thee!" 

    D5        G5             D5        G5
The Minstrel fell! But the foeman's chain
          D5                     A5   D5
Could not bring that proud soul under;
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The harp he lov'd ne'er spoke again,
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For he tore its chords asunder;
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And said "No chains shall sully thee,
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Thou soul of love and brav'ry!
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Thy songs were made for the pure and free,
           D5              A5    D5
They shall never sound in slavery!"

American Civil War verses added later:


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 ev'ry battle must be ended.