Superb tribute to Tommy Makem. By the way, my father, who served in the Irish Guards in WWII alongside ex-Irish Army soldiers who did as individuals what their government should have done , remembered alternative ironic words - 'Let Erin remember the days of yore, when we joined the Free State Army.' Anyone else know this version?
The Minstrel Boy to the war is gone In the ranks of death you will 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! 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 brav'ry! Thy songs were made for the pure and free, They shall never sound in slavery!
Tommy might be gone but his free spirit still wanders around his beloved Keady at the rising of the moon,god keep your immortal soul,Tommy Makem and all your family living and dead,and we drink from the parting glass.R.I.P.