Bill Hughes formed the idea of a trio of Irish tenors during a Cannes festival at which the famous Three Tenors, Luciano Pavarotti, José Carreras and Plácido Domingo were performing. Hughes wanted to produce a television special and first approached Ireland's Finbar Wright in 1998 to join the group but Wright's recording contract with Sony BMG prohibited such a venture. Hughes then invited Canadian John McDermott to head up the group and he accepted. After conferring with Ireland's leading vocal coach, Dr. Veronica Dunne, Anthony Kearns and Ronan Tynan were asked to join. In 1999, "The Irish Tenors-in Dublin" debuted on PBS television in the United States.
PBS signed up for another special by the increasingly popular new group but early in 2000 McDermott's mother died and John decided he could not fully commit himself to the group. Days before PBS was to film The Irish Tenors - Live in Belfast Hughes again contacted Finbar Wright and asked him to step in. Wright agreed to help and was asked to stay on for upcoming tour dates. Having left Sony, Wright was able to join the trio on a permanent basis.
In 2001, the Irish Tenors filmed their third special, an historic PBS broadcast at New York's Ellis Island , hosted by Irish/American actor Martin Sheen. Their album "Ellis Island" topped Billboard's Heatseeker list and landed on its "Top 10 Best of 2001".
In 2006, after Tynan left the group to concentrate on his solo career, Karl Scully was asked by Kearns and Wright to join the trio. This successful blend of voices spurred Bill Hughes to produce a television 9 part series for Ireland's RTE titled The Irish Tenors & Friends. Friends performing on the television special with The Irish Tenors include Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber , Paul Carrick, Finbar Furey , Hayley Westenra , Shayne Ward , Sharon Shannon, Peter Grant , Rebecca Storm, Lucia Evans , and Celine Byrne.
In 2007 the South Carolina Legislature issued a "Proclamation" welcoming the trio to that State at their performance in Charleston.
The trio continues to tour yearly.
Minstrel Boy
The Irish Tenors Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the ranks of death you'll find him;
His fathers sword he has girded on,
And his wild harp slung behind him.
"Land of song!" said the warrior bard,
"Though all the world betrays thee,
One sword at least thy rights shall guard,
The minstrel fell! - but the foeman's chain
Could not bring that proud soul under;
The harp he loved ne'er spoke again
For he tore is 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."
The Irish ballad 'Minstrel Boy', as sung by the Irish Tenors, tells the story of an Irish musician who heads off to fight in a war, likely the Irish Rebellion of 1798, as the song was written by Irish poet Thomas Moore in honor of those who lost their lives in that conflict. As he goes to fight, he brings with him his father's sword and his harp. The harp, a symbol of Ireland's musical heritage and cultural identity, is the embodiment of the nation's soul. The warrior bard, aware of what the minstrel boy is about to face, calls out to the land of song, speaking of Ireland's rich cultural history, and the importance of preserving it. He pledges that at least one sword will guard Ireland's rights, and one harp will praise it.
The ballad continues, telling us that the minstrel boy ultimately meets his end while fighting. Despite being defeated, he remains proud and defiant, tearing apart the chords of his beloved harp before his life comes to an end, for he knows that no chains will corrupt the soul of Ireland, no matter the outcome of the battle. His songs were created for those who are pure and free, and he would rather they not be sung at all than to hear them in a world without the freedom he held so dear.
The lyrics of 'Minstrel Boy' resonate with those who love Ireland and its history, and the song has become a popular choice at funerals and memorials. This powerful, emotional song has gone on to become something of a cultural touchstone, and remains a favorite of fans of Irish music around the world.
Line by Line Meaning
The minstrel boy to the war is gone,
A musician has joined the military and gone to war.
In the ranks of death you'll find him;
Even though he's a musician, he will fight in the front lines and risk his life in the war.
His fathers sword he has girded on,
He has taken up his father's sword, and carries it with him to the battle.
And his wild harp slung behind him.
He carries his harp with him, symbolizing the power that music has to unite people in times of war.
"Land of song!" said the warrior bard,
The musician calls out to the land that has inspired so many songs of bravery and freedom.
"Though all the world betrays thee,
Even if the rest of the world turns their back on this land of song, the musician will be loyal and true to it.
One sword at least thy rights shall guard,
He vows to protect the rights of this land with his sword, and defend it from those who would try to take them away.
One faithful harp shall praise thee!"
He promises that even in the midst of war, his harp will continue to play songs that honor this land and its people.
The minstrel fell! - but the foeman's chain
Even though the musician was overcome and captured by the enemy, he refused to be defeated.
Could not bring that proud soul under;
His spirit remained unbroken, despite being enslaved and imprisoned by the enemy.
The harp he loved ne'er spoke again
Even though his beloved harp was taken away from him, he never lost his love for music.
For he tore his chords asunder;
He destroyed his own instrument, so that the enemy could never use it to silence his songs of freedom.
And said "no chains shall sully thee,
He declared that no one can ever tarnish the spirit of music and freedom, even if they try to silence it with chains.
Thou soul of love and bravery!
He praises the true nature of music, which embodies the ideals of love and bravery in the face of oppression.
Thy songs were made for the pure and free,
He reminds us that songs about freedom and justice are meant for all people, and should never be silenced by those who seek to control others.
They shall never sound in slavery."
He declares that as long as there are people who love freedom and music, the songs of the minstrel boy will continue to inspire and uplift them, even in the darkest times of slavery and oppression.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TRADITIONAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@normanhewitt9345
Its a dirge from the 1848 rebellion written in tribute to his friends from Trinity College who fell or were executed
And what do they lead with the music of remembrance for the fallen at Cenotaph
The Minstrel Boy
Not ever forgetting the 19th irish division
Count John sings it beautifully
As is
Nearer my god to thee
@kevinsyma4681
The beauty belting from that man's beer gut was sang for the pure and free.
@magzb2642
The lad is a medical doctor and a Paralympic athlete. So maybe not a beer gut. Just saying
@kevinsyma4681
@@magzb2642 Are you saying a man can't be a paralympic athlete medical doctor with a beer gut? A man is a man dear sir ;)
@veronicadredd22
I'm not going to win this one am I chief ? No sir
@amyburton4742
Glad I'm not the only one </3 O'Brien has such a good voice too
@Yusuf1187
Haha I just watched that episode and came here to listen to other performances.
@seangofast1
the beginnings of and the recreations of so, so, so many careers started at ST TNG Bob Gunton, Famke Janssen, Marc Alaimo, Ashley Judd(one of her first acting gigs)and so, many more some great actors in memorable episodes, GOD I miss shows like that.
@mxfri1977
@@Yusuf1187 same here
@marcellvogtlander2861
@@Yusuf1187 same here :)
@incitingariot9925
Luke, we hardly knew ye. But us irish will love ye forever.