Lyr Req: Brennan on the Way/Road? / ...Moor

Subject: Lyr Req: Brennan on the Way/Road
From: Morgan La Fay
Date: 04 Apr 06 - 02:59 AM

Hi everybody! Does anyone know the song "Brennan on the Way/road" or something like that? (It is not "Brennan on the Moor"). I know the translation of this song into Russian and would be glad to know the original. It is said in this song, that though Brennan had pistols he had never abused a widow and never robbed a poor man. I learned this song in the book "Folk Music of Britain, Ireland, Scotland and USA" by Mr. Grifin, but it is also translated into Russian.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brennan on the Way/Road
From: GUEST,Harry
Date: 04 Apr 06 - 04:59 AM

Someone should tell Mr Grifin that Scotland is in Britain.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brennan on the Way/Road
From: Flash Company
Date: 04 Apr 06 - 05:11 AM

They say he robbed the rich, but I think you ought to know,
He on'y robbed the rich 'cos the poor folk got no dough,
Well they don' teach that in school!

I'll get my coat!

FC

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brennan on the Way/Road
From: Snuffy
Date: 04 Apr 06 - 08:41 AM

Is it this one or something similar?

I never robbed any poor man yet
And I was never in a tradesman's debt
But I robbed the lords and the ladies gay
And I carried home the gold to my love straightway

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brennan on the Way/Road
From: Teribus
Date: 04 Apr 06 - 05:24 PM

Snuffy, that verse is something like "The Newry Highwayman", although the version I've heard sung goes:

"I never robbed any poor man yet
Nor any Tradesman caused I to fret
But I robbed Lords and their Ladies fine
And carried their gold home to that love of mine"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brennan on the Way/Road
From: Morgan La Fay
Date: 06 Apr 06 - 06:47 AM

Here's the translation of it from Russian, maybe, it will help you to remember it:

He carried two pistols day and night
But was always ready to help a poor widow
He passed the poor by on the road
He robbed only people like Terpin and queen Bess
Brennan had lived on the hills for five years
The footmen and the cavalry couldn't catch him
Somewhere in county Tipperery is the place called Clonmoor
Where Wily Brennan and Bon were found by the troops

Sorry for misspelling of the geographical names.
PS: The exact name of the writer is Clive Griffin, but I can't find his book on the net, only in on-line shops and I need it right now… :/
PPS: Great thanks to everybody for your answers

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brennan on the Way/Road
From: IanC
Date: 06 Apr 06 - 10:43 AM

Perhaps you are looking for "Brennan on the Moor"?

:-)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brennan on the Way/Road
From: Morgan La Fay
Date: 07 Apr 06 - 06:16 AM

I don't think it is "Brennan on the Moor", at least it's the version that I don't know.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brennan on the Way/Road
From: Malcolm Douglas
Date: 07 Apr 06 - 09:04 PM

Oh, it's Brennan on the Moor alright. Translate anything into another language and then back into the original and half of it won't make sense any more.

I don't know who Clive Griffin is; his book was only published around 15 years ago, so is hardly likely to be available on the web except via copyright thieves. Plenty of second-hand copies can be found for sale via this link, though:

Folk Music in Britain, Ireland and the USA.

I get the impression that it was a "pot boiler" and not very accurate or to be taken too seriously. You'd be better off looking at reliable sources.

Use the onsite search engine ("Lyrics and Knowledge Search" at the top of every page here) to find many references to Brennan on the Moor. You can also see several 19th century broadside texts at  Bodleian Library Broadside Ballads:

Brennan on the moor

Check out these references and you'll see what I mean.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Brennan on the Way/Road
From: Morgan La Fay
Date: 08 Apr 06 - 05:53 AM

I'm really ashamed, cause it is indeed "Brennan on the Moor", I have found them finally. Here're the words that I have needed:

A brace of loaded pistols he carried night and day,
He never robb'd 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.
Now Brennan being an outlaw upon the mountains high,
With cavalry and infantry to take him they did try.
In the County Tipperary, at a place they call Clonmore,
Willy Brennan and his comrade that day did suffer sore.
He lost his foremost finger, which was shot off by a ball;
So Brennan and his comrade they were taken after all.
Farewell unto my wife, and to my children three
Likewise my aged father--he may shed tears for me:
And to my loving mother--who tore her grey locks and cried,
Saying "I wish, Willy Brennan, in your cradle you had died."

Thanks to everybody!

M.L.F.