Brennan On The Moor lyrics
Clancy Brothers & Tommy MakemMusic Video
It's of a brave young highwayman
  This story we will tell
  His name was Willie Brennan
  And in Ireland he did dwell
  Was on the Kilwood Mountain
  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 Cashiell
  A mile outside of town
  The mayor he knew his features
  And he said, Young man, says 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 tenpenny
  As soon as Willie spoke
  She handed him a blunderbuss
  From underneath her cloak
Ah young Brennan on the moor
  Brennan on the moor
  Bold, brave and undaunted
  Was young Brennan on the moor
Now with this 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
They took Brennan to the crossroads, 
  And there they hung and died
  But still they say that in the night, 
  That some do see him ride
  They see him with his blunderbuss, 
  All in the midnight chill
  Along, along the King's highway 
  Rides Willie Brennan still!
And it's Brennan on the moor
  Brennan on the moor
  Bold, brave and undaunted
  Was young Brennan on the moor
Song Details

Author: Unknown
Historical Reference: In 1804 there was a highwayman called William Brennan who worked in County Cork and was hanged.
Date: The earliest date it appeared in a broadside was before 1862.
Brief: The story of an Irishman, Willie Brennan, who becomes a highwayman around the hills of County Cork. He was like the Robin Hood of Ireland - stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. One day he went into town for some provisions and was recognized and captured by the local mayor. His wife seeing this created a distraction, handing Willie a blunderbuss she had hidden under her cloak. With musket in hand, he held up the mayor stealing his gold and escaping to the mountains. Through many escapades, the cavalry and infantry tried to take him but eventually he was betrayed by a woman - he was captured and hanged.
Note: a blunderbuss is a short musket of wide bore and flaring muzzle, formerly used to scatter a shot at close range.
Genre: Irish Folk Song
Covers: Tommy Makem, Burl Ives, Phillip James, Danny Quinn, Neil Morris, The Marshmen, United Irishmen.
Album: The Clancy Brothers And Tommy Makem 
Released: 1961
Country: US
Format: 12" Vinyl
Label: Tradition
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