The Minstrel Boy
"The Minstrel Boy" for voice with beautiful piano accompaniment in four keys
This lovely song is not actually a folk song, though it is very old.
According to Wikipedia:
'"The Minstrel Boy" is an Irish patriotic song written by Thomas Moore (1779–1852) who set it to the melody of The Moreen, an old Irish air. It is widely believed that Moore composed the song in remembrance of a number of his friends, whom he met while studying at Trinity College, Dublin and who had participated in (and were killed during) the Irish Rebellion of 1798.'
Here is the loveliest rendition of this beautiful melody that I have found, an instrumental-only version by The Corrs . This version is superior:
Many Irish songs do seem to be about battles and freedom. I used to get a little choked up (still do, sometimes) when singing or playing this for a student... and occasionally, one of my own vocal students can bring tears to my eyes when I am accompanying them on this beautiful song.
The love of country, and especially the heroism of young men embodied in this song, remind me of White, Orange and Green, another Irish song.
This is page 2, in the key of Db:
Unlike almost all of the music on my site, this arrangement is for sale only.
Buy The Minstrel Boy for voice & piano in 4 keys, UNLIMITED COPIES for your students only, $5.00
Below is a stirring interpretation of Minstrel Boy from the movie "Black Hawk Down" (WARNING - VIOLENCE). When I watch these scenes and remember that this event really happened, I am filled with anguish and fury at the fecklessness of politically-minded leaders:
Buy The Minstrel Boy for voice & piano in 4 keys, UNLIMITED COPIES for your students only, $5.00
So why should you buy the patriotic song "The Minstrel Boy" vocal and piano arrangements from me?
I give you permission to make UNLIMITED COPIES, for YOUR STUDENTS ONLY.
The Minstrel Boy is available immediately as a digital download onto your computer. In 4 keys!
You don't have to download any new software into your computer in order to download this PDF. I don't know about you, but I hate clogging up my computer with yet another program I didn't know I needed. You just need a version of Adobe Acrobat or another PDF reader, which all computers come with. If you DON'T have Adobe Acrobat or a similar program, then you couldn't download any of my other PDFs either.
The notes and lyrics are a LOT bigger than the copies currently available in music stores, making reading easier!
Speaking of reading the music, you can print this music on any kind of paper you want, and thus avoid the glare of shiny pages (so irritating for accompanists!).
Write and make notes all over these copies, in red and other colors, without feeling you are spoiling your music for posterity. I dislike messing up my music books, but learning the piece is always the first priority. These printouts will make great working copies.
Do you need a letter of permission in order to use this music at a competition? Write me through the Contact Me form, and I will email you a personal letter.
I give you permission to make UNLIMITED COPIES legally (for your students only). When you need music, you usually need it NOW. Your accompanist, your soloist-student... let them have this music without fear of copyright infringement. And help them learn respect for the musician's trade!
Paypal, the payment system I use, is a secure and recognized payment system. You can pay by credit or debit card, or your bank account. E-Junkie delivers the PDF document, working as a partner with PayPal... your purchase is guaranteed.
What are you waiting for? This is a moving, beautiful love song - of love for one's country.
Buy The Minstrel Boy for voice & piano in 4 keys, UNLIMITED COPIES for your students only, $5.00
Lastly, here is a pretty vocal version of The Minstrel Boy, sung by John McDermott:
Folk & Traditional Songs
Ae Fond Kiss - not strictly a folk melody, but it is old - and very lovely!
Colorado Trail - a genuine cowboy song, just one verse, surprisingly lovely
Erie Canal - a vigorous minor melody that kids like, with lots of repeating phrases
Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier - Lovely. Important for breath control and learning to mold a phrase.
Lavender's Blue, a pretty song that is VERY simple to sing! Perfect for young girls.
Loch Lomond, the most famous song of all from Scotland. Still beautiful.
Muss i denn or Abschied (Wooden Heart) - from Germany by way of Elvis, an adorable folk tune!
Once I Had a Sweetheart - another sad, pretty, and image-arousing song, once sung by Joan Baez
Scarborough Fair - an old favorite from England, still lovely
Shenandoah - So pretty, and genuinely American. Long phrases, good breath control practice.
Spanish Ladies - a minor key sea chanty that swings energetically along - boys like singing it too!
The Spanish Lady - Upbeat and energetic, this song is fun to perform with a group.
Star of the County Down - LOTS of fun to sing and play! An excellent ensemble piece.
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Comments
Music has such power to move the heart... do you have a story or a question about this music?
Becky:
A thousand thanks for your beginning piano and guitar songs. I've already printed several for my children, including the Pretty Little Horses TAB and Carol of the Bells for piano. What a wonderful resource!
Lori:
I will be returning to this site over and over again from here on out and am excited to present some of the tools I found today on here to my voice and piano students later this week! My thirteen-year old son is happily, as I type, working with the guitar chord sheets I just printed for him! Wish I'd found you earlier! Thanks a million, and God bless-
Bob:
I am a "retiree" and brand new guitar student. I have used your guitar tabs for Shenandoah and Amazing Grace, and find it exciting to hear real music coming out of my guitar for the first time.
Lin:
Thank you for a most excellent site. I am a classical guitar teacher, who endeavors to cover chords and fingerstyle as well. I especially liked the printable Celtic music, as some of my teenage students enjoy it! Thank you, again.
Kelly-Ann:
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you....I have a lot of books on graded pieces but not a lot of beginner pieces. I use material I have written myself together with books I encourage my parents to buy... but sometimes parents just can't afford a book- and as a teacher you sometimes do find your self searching for material....Thank you thank you thank you once again!
Christine:
Thank you so much for this site! I have just started teaching some really keen Y6 boys who want to play Scarborough Fair, and your version is perfect. I will now go and look at what other goodies you have!
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THIS SITE IS AMAZING!!I've been teaching guitar for about 5 years now, and I've only just found your website! (I could really have used it 5 years ago) :-) I teach at primary schools every week day for about 4 hours, so the beginner tabs you have are ideal. Thank you so much for your hard work getting these on the web, you have made many children very happy!!
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Carrie,Voice and Piano Teacher:
This site is FABULOUS. For all the reasons you explain on the site itself--this is exactly what piano teachers need! (I still need to go look at the vocal music). Wow. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Deb:
... I watched your video "Wondrous Love" with your eight gals - Magnificent! So refreshing to see good harmonies sung a capella these days; it seems to be rare!
Cheri in Vancouver, BC:
I was looking for sheet music for She Moves Thru the Fair since I'm beginning both mandolin and uke. I got far more than I bargained for reading your notes on this one song. Very insightful.
Krista:
Thank you thank you thank you!! I have recently started my own vocal studio, and though I have studied music education for years in college, a private studio is a daunting task for me. Your site has made everything seem so simple and straightforward and has helped me to really get started. It is so comprehensive and well put together. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge so that music can be shared everywhere. :)
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Good for you! Yes, I know just what you mean. Every new endeavor requires a little bit of chutzpah -- not to say just brazening it out a bit, because you just can't be an expert at anything until you've done it for a while. We teachers have to learn how to teach... and you have to start somewhere.
Audrey:
I just wanted to tell you that I have found your website EXTREMELY helpful! I have a young group of children that I have started a youth choir with and I was searching for music ideas and I came across your website. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!
Lori:
Thanks so much! All of my students LOVE playing Irish Wedding!
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