Willy Brennan

William "Willy" Brennan was an Irish Highwayman caught and hanged in County Cork in either 1804[1] or perhaps 1809 or 1812, [2] whose story was immortalised in the ballad "Brennan on the Moor".[3][4]

"Brennan on the Moor"

The earliest version of the ballad dates to the middle 19th century, either the 1830s [2] or to 1859, and various versions of the song were extant in Ireland, Great Britain, Canada and the United States in the 19th century.[1] The song's writer is unknown. It has been recorded by Burl Ives, The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, Phillip James and The Marshmen.

Lyrics

"It is of a brave young highwayman this story we will tell, His name was Willie Brennan and in Ireland he did dwell. 'Twas on the Kilworth Mountains he commenced his wild career, And many a wealthy nobleman before him shook with fear.

And it's Brennan on the moor, Brennan on the moor, Bold, brave and undaunted was young Brennan on the moor.

One day upon the highway, as Willie he went down, He met the mayor of Cashel, a mile outside of town. The mayor, he knew his features, and he said, "Young man," said he, "Your name is Willie Brennan, you must come along with me."

And it's Brennan on the moor, Brennan on the moor, Bold, brave and undaunted was young Brennan on the moor.

Now Brennan's wife had gone to town provisions for to buy, And when she saw her Willie she commenced to weep and cry. Said, "Hand to me that ten-penny," as soon as Willie spoke, She handed him a blunderbuss from underneath her cloak

For young Brennan on the moor, Brennan on the moor, Bold, brave and undaunted was young Brennan on the moor.

Now with his loaded blunderbuss—the truth I will unfold— He made the mayor to tremble, and he robbed him of his gold. One hundred pounds was offered for his apprehension there, So he, with horse and saddle, to the mountains did repair,

Did young Brennan on the moor, Brennan on the moor, Bold, brave and undaunted was young Brennan on the moor.

Now Brennan being an outlaw upon the mountains high, With cavalry and infantry to take him they did try. He laughed at them with scorn until at last 'twas said By a false-hearted woman he was cruelly betrayed,

Was young Brennan on the moor, Brennan on the moor, Bold, brave and undaunted was young Brennan on the moor"

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Norman Cazden, Norman Studer, Folk songs of the Catskills, State Univ of New York Press, 1983, pg 414
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Steve Roud & Julia Bishop, eds. The New Penguin Book of English Folk Songs Penguin Classics, 2002 isbn 978-0-141-19461-5 p.496
  3. ↑ "Brennan on the Moor (trad.)". Bobdylanroots.com. 1992-10-16. Retrieved 2012-02-08.
  4. ↑ Dictionary of Irish Biography 9 Volume Set