The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

Bold Brennan on the Moor

It's of a fearless highway-man a story I'll tell:
His name was Willie Brennan and in Ireland he did dwell.
'Twas on the Limerick mountains he commenced his wild career.
Where many a wealthy gentlemen before him shook with fear.

Brennan on the Moor, Brennan on the Moor
Bold and yet undaunted stood young Brennan on the moor.

A brace of loaded pistols he carried night and day,
He never robbed a poor-man upon the King's Highway.
But what he'd taken from the rich, like Turpin and Black Bess,
He always did divide it with the widow-in-distress.

Chorus.

One night he robbed a packman, his name was Peddler Brown,
They traveled on together, 'till day began to dawn.
The pedlar seeing his money gone, likewise his watch and chain,
He at once encountered Brennan and robb'd them back again.

Chorus.

When Brennan saw the pedlar was a good man as he,
He took him on the highway, his companion for to be.
The pedlar threw away his pack without any more delay,
And proved a faithful comrade until his dying day.

Chorus.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT