The Bards of Ireland

by Victor Herbert (1859 - 1924)

1. The Minstrel Boy
 (Sung text)

Language: English 
The Minstrel Boy to the war is gone
In the ranks of death you'll find him;
His father's sword he hath 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".

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Note: some settings of this text use a third verse written by an unknown author during the American Civil War, found here.

Researcher for this page: Ted Perry

2. Remember the glories of Brien the Brave
 (Sung text)

Language: English 
Remember the glories of Brien the brave,
  Though the days of the hero are o’er;
Though lost to Mononia, and cold in the grave,
  He returns to Kinkora no more.
That star of the field, which so often has pour'd
  Its beam on the battle, is set;
But enough of its glory remains on each sword
  To light us to victory yet.

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Text Authorship:

  • by Thomas Moore (1779 - 1852), "Munster. Remember the Glories of Brien the Brave"

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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

3. Lament

— Tacet —

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4. Believe me, if all those endearing young charms
 (Sung text)

Language: English 
Believe me, if all those endearing young charms,
Which I gaze on so fondly to-day,
Were to change by to-morrow, and fleet in my arms,
Like fairy wings, fading away!
Thou wouldst still be ador'd as this moment thou art,
Let thy loveliness fade as it will;
And, around the dear ruin, each wish of my heart
Would entwine itself verdantly still!

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Researcher for this page: Robert Grady

5. Tho' the last glimpse of Erin
 (Sung text)

Language: English 
Tho' the last glimpse of Erin with sorrow I see,
Yet, wherever thou art shall seem Erin to me.
In exile thy bosom shall still be my home,
And thine eyes make my climate, wherever we roam.

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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "Bien que je voie avec tristesse", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]

6. The harp that once through Tara's halls
 (Sung text)

Language: English 
The harp that once through Tara's halls
The soul of music shed,
Now hangs as mute on Tara's walls,
As if that soul were fled.
So sleeps the pride of former days,
So glory's thrill is o'er,
And hearts, that once beat high for praise,
Now feel that pulse no more.

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Text Authorship:

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Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):

  • FRE French (Français) (Pierre Mathé) , "La harpe qui autrefois dans les salles de Tara", copyright © 2014, (re)printed on this website with kind permission

Research team for this page: Robert Grady , Johann Winkler
Total word count: 269