Clancy Brothers: "Brennan on the Moor"

with Tommy Makem
Belfast 1984

'Tis of a brave young highwayman this story I will tell
His name was Willie Brennan and in Ireland he did dwell
It was on the Kilwood Mountain he commenced his wild career
And many a wealthy nobleman before him shook with fear

It was 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 said, young man, said he
Your name is Willie Brennan, you must come along with me

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

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

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 it was said
By a false-hearted woman he was cruelly betrayed

They took Brennan to the crossroads, there he hung 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
And all along the King's Highway rides Willie Brennan still