Willy Brennan
Encyclopedia
William "Willy" Brennan was an Irish
Highwayman
caught and hanged in County Cork
in 1804 whose story was immortalised in the ballad Brennan on the Moor.
, The Clancy Brothers
, Phillip James and The Marshmen.
Here are the lyrics:
It's of a brave young highwayman this story we will tell,
His name was Willie Brennan and in Ireland he did dwell.
'Twas on the Kilwood 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
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
Highwayman
Highwayman
A highwayman was a thief and brigand who preyed on travellers. This type of outlaw, usually, travelled and robbed by horse, as compared to a footpad who traveled and robbed on foot. Mounted robbers were widely considered to be socially superior to footpads...
caught and hanged in County Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
in 1804 whose story was immortalised in the ballad Brennan on the Moor.
Brennan on the Moor
The earliest version of the ballad dates to 1859, and various versions of the song were extant in Ireland, Great Britain, Canada and the United States in the 19th century. The song's writer is unknown. It has been recorded by Burl IvesBurl Ives
Burl Icle Ivanhoe Ives was an American actor, writer and folk music singer. As an actor, Ives's work included comedies, dramas, and voice work in theater, television, and motion pictures. Music critic John Rockwell said, "Ives's voice .....
, The Clancy Brothers
The Clancy Brothers
The Clancy Brothers were an influential Irish folk music singing group, most popular in the 1960s, they were famed for their woolly Aran jumpers and are widely credited with popularizing Irish traditional music in the United States. The brothers were Patrick "Paddy" Clancy, Tom Clancy, Bobby Clancy...
, Phillip James and The Marshmen.
Here are the lyrics:
It's of a brave young highwayman this story we will tell,
His name was Willie Brennan and in Ireland he did dwell.
'Twas on the Kilwood 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