Willy Brennan facts for kids

William "Willy" Brennan (also known as John) was an Irish highwayman. A highwayman was like an old-time robber who stopped travelers on roads. Willy Brennan became famous because of a song called "Brennan on the Moor." He was captured in Cork, Ireland. The exact year he was caught is not clear, but it was likely around 1804, 1809, or 1812.

A book published in 1840, called The Reminiscences of a Light Dragoon, tells some of Willy Brennan's story. The author of the book said they saw Brennan captured in a place called Caher. The author arrived in Ireland around 1808. This makes it seem more likely that Brennan's capture happened in 1809 or later. The book describes some of Brennan's adventures and his personality. It also talks about his friend who joined him in his activities. Finally, it tells how he was caught and what happened next.

The Famous Song: "Brennan on the Moor"

The song "Brennan on the Moor" is very old. The first known versions of this song appeared in the mid-1800s. Some people think it was first sung in the 1830s, while others say it was around 1859. The song became very popular and was sung in many places. You could hear different versions of it in Ireland, Great Britain, Canada, and the United States. No one knows for sure who wrote the original song.

Many famous musicians have recorded "Brennan on the Moor." These include Burl Ives, The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, Philip James, Neil Morris, and The Marshmen.

Bob Dylan's Version

The famous American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan also created a song inspired by "Brennan on the Moor." His song is called "Rambling, Gambling Willie." Bob Dylan heard "Brennan on the Moor" from his friends, The Clancy Brothers. He used a similar tune for his song, but he wrote completely new words.

Dylan recorded "Rambling, Gambling Willie" in April 1962. It was meant for his album The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan. However, the song was not included on that album at the time. It was finally released much later, in 1991. You can find it on a special collection of his songs called The Bootleg Series Volumes 1–3.