The Minstrel Boy chords
by John McDermottSong Key: Eb Major
Time Signature: 4/4
Tempo: 72 bpm
Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e
Skill Level: Beginner
Guitar Chords in C Major: C, G, G7, Gsus4, Am, F, E7
Capo: 3rd fret (to play along with the video in Eb Major)
Play-Along Video & Chord Charts
The Minstrel Boy
Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key C G F G C G Am F G C Gsus4 G C
Intro: 4/4 |---♩| | / | / | / |
C F C G Am
1. The Min-strel boy to the war is gone
F C Gsus4 G C
In the ranks of death you'll fi - ind him
C F C G Am
His fath-er's sword he has gird-ed on
F C Gsus4 G C
And his wild harp slung be - hi - ind him
Am F G7 G
Land of Song! Said the war-rior bard
Am C E7 Am E7 Am
Tho' all the world be - tra - ays thee
C F C G Am
One sword at least thy rights shall guard
F C Gsus4 G C
One faith-ful harp shall pra - aise thee
C F C Am F C G C
Instr: | - | - | - | - |
C F C G Am
2. The Min-strel fell but the foe man's chain
F C Gsus4 G C
Could not bring his proud soul u – un - der
C F C G Am
The harp he loved ne'er spoke a - gain
F C Gsus4 G C
For he tore its chords a – su – un - der
Am F G7 G
And said no chains shall sul-y thee
Am C E7 Am E7 Am
Thou soul of love and bra – av’ - ry
C F C G Am
Thy songs were made for the pure and free
F C Gsus4 G C
They shall nev-er sound in sla - av’- ry
Am F G7 G
Land of Song! Said the war-rior bard
Am C E7 Am E7 Am
Tho' all the world be - tra - ays thee
C F C G Am
One sword at least thy rights shall guard
F C Gsus4 G C
One faith-ful harp shall pra - aise thee
C F C Am F C G C
Outro: | - | - | - | - |
Notes & Helpful Tips:
- Level Of Ease: Easy 😊
- Song Key: Eb Major... 3 flats - (Bb, Eb, Ab)
- Song Key with capo on the 3rd fret: C Major... no sharps or flats
- In the Intro, the violin brings the band in with a note played on the 4th beat of the 1st bar. The band comes in on the second bar.
- There are several chord changes in the 4 bars of Intro. If you find this a little hard, simply play the same chords as the 4 bars of instrumental breaks in the middle and end of the song.
- A hyphen between 2 chords splits the bar count in half, therefore | C - F | with 4 beats per bar means 2 beats on C and 2 beats on F... could also be written as | C / F / |.
- | F G C / | means 1 beat on F, 1 beat on G, and 2 beats on C. This simile mark or repeat sign (/) means you repeat the previous chord in the same bar.
- The song tends to start and stop and change tempo, but this is the nature of the song. John is a great Tenor, and sings the song beautifully.
- Use the Transposer for any other key changes.
- The pdf download is in the key of D Major, which those of you with some knowledge of barre chords will enjoy. They are easy to play, and the transition from Dsus4 to D is also very easy.
Related Pages
- Capo - Enhancing musical versatility in specific scenarios.
- Guitar Chords - A comprehensive look at popular chord types featuring horizontal chord charts for right and left-handed players including barre chords and power chords.
- Key Signatures - Understanding their placement, purpose, and significance in music.
- Time Signature - Defines the rhythm and structure of the music helping musicians follow the appropriate beat and count the measures accurately.
Song Details:
- Music: Set to the melody of an old Irish 'Air' called The Moreen.
- Lyricist: Thomas Moore - Irish singer, songwriter, poet and entertainer from Dublin, Ireland.
- Lyrics Begin: The Minstrel boy to the war is gone,
- Featured Artist: John McDermott
- Genre: Irish Folk Song
- Album: Danny Boy
Released: 1992
Format: CD
Country: Canada
Label: Angel Records
John McDermott
- Born: John Charles McDermott on the 25th March 1955 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK
- Occupation: Singer, songwriter, record producer
- Instruments: Vocals, piano, keyboards, guitar
- Active Years: 1980 – present
- Music Styles: Celtic music
- Associations: The Irish Tenors, St. Michael's Choir School
- 🌍 johnmcdermott.com
