According to Burl Ives this tune was popular in
Ireland, Scotland and America during the seventeenth and eighteenth
centuries. The first printed appearance of the tune was on broadsides
around 1850.
William Brennan was a highwayman in the 18th
century. He operated around the Kilworth mountains in County Cork.
Brennan was hanged at Cork in 1804. Given these facts Ives has estimated
the date of the tune too early.
There is another version at
Brennan on the
Moor (1). In this version he is betrayed by a
woman and in other versions Brennan was betrayed by one of his comrades
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- It's about a fierce highway man
- My story I will tell.
- His name was Willy Brennan,
- And in Ireland he did dwell.
-
- 'Twas upon the king's mountain
- He began his wild career,
- And many a rich gentleman
- Before him shook with fear.
-
- Chorus
-
- Oh it's Brennan on the moor,
- Brennan on the moor,
- Bold, gay, and undaunted
- Stood young Brennan on the Moor.
- It was upon the King's highway,
- Old Brennan he sat down.
- He met the mayor of Moorland
- Five miles outside of town.
- Now the Mayor, he knew mountain,
- And "I think," says he,
- "Your name is Willy Brennan,
- You must come along with me."
-
- Chorus
-
- Oh it's Brennan on the moor,
- Brennan on the moor,
- Bold, gay, and undaunted
- Stood young Brennan on the Moor.
- Now Brennan's wife was agoing down town
- Some provisions for to buy.
- When she saw her Willy taken
- She began to weep and cry.
- Says he, "Hand me that ten penny,"
- And as soon as Willy spoke
- She handed him a blunderbuss
- From underneath her cloak.
-
- Chorus
-
- Oh it's Brennan on the moor,
- Brennan on the moor,
- Bold, gay, and undaunted
- Stood young Brennan on the Moor.
- Now Brennan got his blunderbuss,
- My story I'll unfold.
- He caused the mayor to tremble
- And deliver up his gold.
- Five thousand pounds were offered
- For his apprehension there,
- But Brennan and the pedlar
- To the mountain did repair.
-
- Chorus
-
- Oh it's Brennan on the moor,
- Brennan on the moor,
- Bold, gay, and undaunted
- Stood young Brennan on the Moor.
- Now Brennan is an outlaw
- All on some mountain hight.
- With infantry and cavalry
- To take him they did try,
- But he laughed at them and he scorned at them
- Until it was said
- By a false-hearted woman
- He was cruelly betrayed.
-
- Chorus
-
- Oh it's Brennan on the moor,
- Brennan on the moor,
- Bold, gay, and undaunted
- Stood young Brennan on the Moor.
- They hung Brennan at the crossroads;
- In chains he swung and dried.
- But still they say that in the night
- Some do see him ride.
- They see him with his blunderbuss
- In the midnight chill;
- Along, along the King's highway
- Rides Willy Brennan still.
-
- Chorus
- Oh it's Brennan on the moor,
- Brennan on the moor,
- Bold, gay, and undaunted
- Stood young Brennan on the Moor
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