Brennan On The Moor Lyrics
Clancy Brothers & Tommy MakemMusic Video
Lyrics
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
Date: The earliest date it appeared in a broadside was before 1862.
Song 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, and subsequently captured and hanged.
📖 Blunderbuss: 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.
Featured Artists: The Clancy Brothers And Tommy Makem
💿 Album: The Clancy Brothers And Tommy Makem
Released: 1961
Country: US
Format: 12" Vinyl
Label: Tradition
The Real Willie Brennan:
While the song sounds like a tall tale, Willie Brennan was a real highwayman who operated in the Kilworth Mountains of County Cork during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He became a folk hero because he was known for his "chivalry"—often returning money to those who needed it more than he did. He was eventually captured and executed in Clonmel in 1804.
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