Brennan on the MoorIt's of a fearless highwaymanA story I will tell His name was William Brennan And in Ireland he did dwell, And upon the Libbery mountains He commenced his wild career, Where many a wealthy gentleman Before him shook with fear. Bold and undaunted stood Bold Brennan on the Moor: Brennan on the moor, Brennan on the moor, Bold and undaunted stood Bold Brennan on the moor. A brace of loaded pistols He did carry night and day, He never robbed a poor man All on the King's Highway; But what he'd taken from the rich, Like Turpin and Black Bess, He always did divide Between the widows in distress. One day he robbed a packman, And his name was Pedlar Bawn; They travelled on together Till the day began to dawn. The pedlar found his money gone, Likewise his watch and chain; He at once encountered Brennan And he robbed him back again. When Brennan saw the pedlar Was as good a man as he, He took him on the highway, His companion to be; The pedlar threw away his pack Without any delay, And proved a faithful comrade Until his dying day. One day upon the King's Highway, As Willie he sat down, He met the Mayor of Cashel, Just a mile outside the town. THe Mayor he knew his features bold: "O you're my man", said he; "I think you're William Brennan, You must come along o' me." But Willie's wife had been to town, provisions for to buy And when she saw her Willie, She began to sob and cry; he said, "Give me that tenpence!" As quick 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; A hundred pounds was offered For his apprehension there, But he with horse and saddle, To the mountains did repair. He lay among the fern all day, 'Twas thick upon the field; And seven wounds he had received Before that he would yield; He was captured and found guilty, "For robbing on the Kin's highway You're both condemned to die."
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