Has anyone heard Joe Strummer and the Mescalero’s version of this tune? I think the fact that Strummer and his boys can carry it for almost 18 minutes is pretty incredible.
The minstrel boy the the war has gone / in the ranks of deathyou’ll find him? That one?
On the clip that was shown on BBC of Bush laying a wreath at Ground Zero yesterday, I was quite surprised to note that this was the tune that was being played on the “war” pipes.
Made a pleasant change from the inevitable Amazing Grace, and I’m guessing that it was meant as a tribute to the Irish presence in the firefighting and police services.
Amazing, Wikipedia seems to have a nice write up, and even mentions that the “Joe Strummer and the Mescalero’s” version was played in Black Hawk Down
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Minstrel_Boy
Thomas Moore wrote lyrics to many songs becides Moreen. For those interested I sugest looking at his collected works.
http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/8187
THE MINSTREL-BOY.
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 his proud soul under;
The harp he loved 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.”