Brennan On The Moor - A Traditional Irish Folk Song

Hey Folks

This is my version of Brennan On The Moor.Its an old Irish folk song about a highwayman who lived in the later part of the 18th century.

The song was first published sometime before 1860 and as is the case with a lot of these old Irish and Scottish Ballads nobody knows exactly who wrote the song.

The song tells the story of the life and times of Willie Brennan who lived in County Cork in Ireland and was hanged there sometime between 1804 -1809.

It was made popular by the Irish singing group The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem in the early 1960s.

The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem have been hugely influential in my own musical journey.So I dedicate this one to them. Liam Clancy , Paddy Clancy Tom Clancy and Tommy Makem , sweet princes of the Emerald Isle ,may the lord rest their souls!

Boys,this ones for you!

"Brennan On The Moor"

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

And its ride Willie ride!
Roll Willie roll!
Wherever your a rambling now
Nobody really knows!

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 its ride Willie ride!
Roll Willie roll!
Wherever your a rambling now
Nobody really knows!

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