People will know I'm a History Buff, it was my Favourite subject at School. Before the written word a Clan or Tribe's History would be told through Stories and Songs. Minstrel's would make up Songs and Stories about the Clans Hero's Life and Deeds. Many Minstrel's would travel across the land entertaining Kings in different Kingdoms with their songs of Heroism and Great Deeds.

In fact it is said that when King Richard The Lionheart was captured by an Enemy returning from a Crusade, he heard the voice of his Minstrel from his prison cell at the Top of a Castle's Tower, has the Minstrel rode by Singing, somehow the King got a Message to his Minstrel, who returned to England and told of Richard's Imprisonment. A Ransom was then paid for Richard's Release.

These Songsters were known by different Names, a Minstrel a Bard who told stories in Song and word and a Skald a Norse teller of Tales., who would tell Stories of the Asir the God and Goddesses of the Vikings. There is a Legend that Talisin the Father of Merlin ( of King Arthur fame) had a Golden voice, a voice which could calm all violent Arguments and Make Great Warriors weep and replace Hate for Love in their Hearts. It is also said when Merlin came into the World he was still born and Talisin heart broken placed a hand over his dead Son's heart and sang a song of Grief and the Gods heard his song and sent a surge of power through Talisin into the chest of Merlin and the Babe's heart began to beat. Another story regarding Minstrel's (mostly men) it is said some would have their Eye lids stitched together on purpose and though they couldn't see, the sacrifice of their sight resulted in a much sweeter singing voice.

Coming forward to the last Century most songs about History are about War or associated with War. It's a Long Way To Tipperary was popular song of the First World War, We'll Meet Again (Vera Lynn) WW II While Peter Paul and Mary's Song Leaving on a Jet Plane is Associated with the Vietnam Conflict. Don Mclean's song American Pie has the lyrics The Day The Music Died. Referring to the Plane crash which Killed Music Legends Buddy Holly, Ricky Valance and the Big Bopper. Finally Heavy Rock Band Led Zeppelin sang the Immigrant Song a Song about the Viking Raids on Britain. And Heavy Metal Rock Band Iron Maiden recorded a song called the Trooper which told the story of The Charge Of The Light Brigade.

Any I've Forgotten let me know in your comments.

Nice post @Wheelbarrow repair man

I don't think the following songs are minstral songs but they were sung by soldiers when facing battle or when marching to & from a battle.

There were British folk songs that depicted British soldiering in the 18th Century, one being "Over the hills and far away" & another "Hey for the life of a soldier"

In the American civil war the soldiers sang songs like "The Battle Cry of Freedom" & "War song of Dixie". There were scores of songs sung by soldiers in the civil war many to increase moral of the troops.