The Minstrel Boy

"The Minstrel Boy" was an Earth song that Chief Miles O'Brien often used as his "happy thought" in dire situations. His one-time captain, Benjamin Maxwell, was also fond of the song. .

Lyrics

 * The minstrel boy to the war is gone
 * In the ranks of death he 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 right 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 bravery
 * Thy songs were made for the pure and free
 * They shall never sound in slavery"

Background
In, the song is both sung by O'Brien and Maxwell and used as a thematic overture.

The tune of "The Minstrel Boy" is played in the soundtrack of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's final episode. It can be heard playing during the scene where O'Brien takes one last look at his quarters and finds the figurine of William B. Travis.

The tune of "The Minstrel Boy" is also played in the soundtrack of Star Trek: The Next Generation episode. It can be heard playing during the scene where Lieutenant Reginald Barclay is seen leaving the Holodeck at the end of the episode.

The song was to have been included in, where the Parada replicant of O'Brien would have sung it. The scene can be found in the shooting script. (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion)

"The Minstrel Boy" is also sung by characters in the Star Trek novel Ishmael, as well as in the novelization of.

"The Minstrel Boy" is believed to have been written by Irish poet Thomas Moore (1779-1852) to commemorate friends who had died in the 1798 Irish rebellion against British rule. The song has been used in many film and television productions including The Man Who Would be King (starring Michael Caine, Sean Connery, and Christopher Plummer) and Black Hawk Down (which starred Tom Hardy).

External link


The Minstrel Boy