The first verse of The Minstrel Boy may be too nationalistic for some libertarians. But the second verse is a beautiful tribute to an unconquered spirit. There’s also a third verse (see recording #4) about peace.
I’ve gathered ten versions of The Minstrel Boy for your St. Patrick’s Day enjoyment:
1. Sung by one of my favorite singers, Paul Robeson, from whose recording I first learned it:
2. And here is a rather different version by another of my favorite singers, Roger Whittaker:
3. And here’s a very different version. Am I including it only because it comes with a Firefly video? Maybe.
4. Another well-sung version, with a drum as lone accompaniment. This one has a third verse different in spirit from the rest of the song.
5. An instrumental version that may water the eyes.
6. A high-energy take by Danny Quinn to bring you back from that.
7. I went looking for a version with an actual harp. Here’s one on just a harp (followed by Sally Gardens):
8. And here’s one with harp and vocal — and the singer’s a woman, unlike the overwhelming majority of solo singers in videos I’ve found of this song. (Never mind her politics!)
9. And finally, Enter the Haggis, for those who prefer electric guitar — or who, like me, enjoy seeing people take ownership of a familiar song by adapting it to their own style:
10. Wait, that wasn’t final. I found accordions!