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 loved ne'er spoke again, For he tore its 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." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ODE ON THE PLEASURE ARISING FROM VICISSITUDE by THOMAS GRAY THE GRAVE OF A POETESS by FELICIA DOROTHEA HEMANS IN HOSPITAL: 10. STAFF NURSE: NEW STYLE by WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY IN HOSPITAL: 23. MUSIC by WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY THE RUBAIYAT, 1879 EDITION: 7 by OMAR KHAYYAM THE JESTER'S SERMON by GEORGE WALTER THORNBURY A SONG OF THE WESTERN EDEN by HOPE S. BARBER |