The Minstrel Boy
Irish poet Thomas Moore believed a life given for his country’s freedom was not given in vain.
1813
King George III 1760-1820
Irish poet Thomas Moore believed a life given for his country’s freedom was not given in vain.
1813
King George III 1760-1820
This song was written in 1813 by Irish poet Thomas Moore (1779–1852), and included in his collection of Irish Melodies (1808-34), along with another favourite, ‘The Last Rose of Summer’.
The Minstrel-Boy to the war is gone,
In the ranks of death you’ll find him;
His father’s sword he has girded on,
And his wild harp slung behind him.
“Land of song!” said the warrior-bard,
“Tho’ all the world betrays thee,
One sword, at least, thy rights shall guard,
One faithful harp shall praise thee!”
The Minstrel fell!—but the foeman’s chain
Could not bring that proud soul under;
The harp he lov’d ne’er spoke again,
For he tore its chords asunder;
And said, “No chains shall sully thee,
Thou soul of love and bravery!
Thy songs were made for the pure and free,
They shall never sound in slavery.”
From Irish Melodies (1821) by Thomas Moore (1779-1852).
The haunting melody of The Minstrel Boy appeared for the first time along with the poem in 1813, though scholars are not agreed on who wrote it. American composer Leroy Anderson made an arrangement of the tune for his Irish Suite in 1947.
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1. What is the author aiming to achieve in writing this?
2. Note any words, devices or turns of phrase that strike you. How do they help the author communicate his ideas more effectively?
3. What impression does this passage make on you? How might you put that impression into words?
Based on The English Critic (1939) by NL Clay, drawing on The New Criticism: A Lecture Delivered at Columbia University, March 9, 1910, by J. E. Spingarn, Professor of Comparative Literature in Columbia University, USA.
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
What happened to the minstrel boy’s harp?
It was smashed up during the battle.
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
He refused to be a slave. He preferred death.
See if you can include one or more of these words in your answer.
IBetter. IILife. IIIRather.