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 young 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, 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 'twas said

By a false-hearted woman he was cruelly betrayed



They hanged Brennan at the crossroads, in chains he hung and dried

But still they say that, in the night, 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!





[Willie Brennan was an Irish Robin Hood in the late 1700s in County Cork