Formed while the members were working in America, the initial impetus was to record an album of Irish rebel songs (released as "The Rising of the Moon") as one of the first releases in 1956 of new folk label, Tradition Records. Paddy Clancy's harmonica provided the only musical accompaniment for this debut album.
Little thought was given at that point to continuing as a singing group. The four were all were busy establishing careers (in the theatre) for themselves, in addition to their work at Tradition Records. With the album being a local success, requests were often demanded for the brothers and Makem to sing some of their songs at parties and informal pub settings. Slowly, the singing gigs began to outweigh the acting gigs and by 1959, serious thought was given to a new album. Liam had developed some guitar skills, Tommy's hand, which hasd been injured, had healed enough that he was again able to play tin whistle and Uilleann pipes, and the times spent singing together had improved their style. No longer were they the rough, mostly unaccompanied group of actors singing for an album to jump-start a record label; they were becoming a professional singing group.
The Clancy Brothers were an influential Irish folk music singing group. Most popular in the 1960s, they were famed for their woolly Aran jumpers and are widely credited with popularizing Irish traditional music in the United States. The brothers were Patrick "Paddy" Clancy, Tom Clancy, Bobby Clancy and Liam Clancy. Paddy, Tom, Bob, and Liam are best known for their work with Tommy Makem, recording dozens of albums together as The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. They were a primary influence on a young Bob Dylan and on many other emerging artists.
The release of their second album, this one of Irish drinking songs called "Come Fill Your Glass with Us", solidified their new careers as singers. The album was a success, and they made many appearances on the pub circuit in New York, Chicago, and Boston. It was at their first official gig after "Come Fill Your Glass With Us" that the group finally found a name for themselves. The nightclub owner asked for a name to put on the marquee, but they had not decided on one yet. Unable to agree on a name (which included suggestions like "The Beggermen", "The Tinkers", and even "The Chieftains") the owner decided for them, simply billing them as "The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem". The name stuck. They decided to try singing full-time for six months. If their singing was successful, they would continue with it; if not, then they would return to acting. The Clancy brothers and Tommy Makem proved successful as a singing group and in early 1961, they attracted the attention of scouts from The Ed Sullivan Show.
The Clancy Brothers' mother read news of the terrible ice and snow storms in New York City so she sent Aran sweaters for her sons and Tommy Makem to keep them warm. Paddy and Liam Clancy stated they wore the sweaters for the first time in the Blue Angel club. When Marty Erlichman, their manager, saw the sweaters, he was beside himself! "That's it!" he exclaimed. I've been looking for a special costume for the group. It was also the night that Barbra Streisand sang in the Blue Angel for the first time. The sweaters became the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem's trademark. When back in their hometown, the band purchased their Aran jumpers from Babington, on the main street. Babington had a local woman by the name of Betty McGillivray née Duggan knit the jumpers and supply the shop on regular occasions.
On 12 March 1961, the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem performed for 16 minutes in front of a televised audience of 80 million people on The Ed Sullivan Show. As Pearl Bailey did not show that night, the Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem were given her time. The televised performance instantly attracted the attention of John Hammond of Columbia Records. The group was offered a five-year contract with an advance of $100,000, a huge sum in 1961. For their first album with Columbia, they enlisted Pete Seeger as backup banjo player for the live album A Spontaneous Performance Recording It included songs that would soon become classics, such as "Brennan on the Moor," "Jug of Punch," "Reilly's Daughter," "Finnegan's Wake," "Haul Away Joe," "Roddy McCorley," "Portlairge" and "Moonshiner." The album was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1961.
By the end of 1961, they had released two more albums, one final one with Tradition Records, and another with Columbia, Hearty and Hellish: A Live Nightclub Performance, and they were playing Carnegie Hall. Additionally, they were making appearances on major radio and television talk-shows in America.
1962 proved to be an even better year. Ciarán MacMathuna, a popular radio personality in Ireland, was visiting America when he heard of the group. He collected the few albums they had out at the time, brought them back home to Ireland and played them on his radio show. The broadcasts skyrocketed the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem to fame in Ireland, where they were still unknown. In Ireland, songs like "Roddy McCorley," "Kevin Barry" and "Brennan on the Moor" were slow, depressing songs full of melancholy, but the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem had transformed those songs (the disgruntled purists in Ireland said "commercialized") and made them lively. For generations the songs had been a reminder of the troubles in Ireland and therefore they weren't anything anybody sang proudly. The Clancy Brothers changed all that, and the transformed songs reinvigorated Ireland's pride in her music. The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem were brought over for a sold-out tour of Ireland in late 1962. Popularity in England and other parts of Europe soon followed, as well as Australia and Canada. By 1963, appearing on major talk-shows in America, Canada, England, Australia and Ireland, as well as their own TV specials, the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem were "the most famous four Irishmen in the world" as said by Ireland's Late Late Show host, Gay Byrne, in a retrospective interview in 1984. In 1964, one third of all the albums sold in Ireland were Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem records.
The 1960s continued to be a successful decade with the release of approximately two albums per year, all of which sold millions of copies. They continued to peak with television appearances in front of President John F. Kennedy in 1963.
Their popularity is the result of several factors. There was already an American folk revival beginning in the United States, and men such as Ewan MacColl popularizing old songs on the other side of the Atlantic. But it was the Clancys' boisterous performances that set them apart, taking placid classics and giving them a boost of energy and spirit (not that they took this approach with all their songs; they would still sing the true mournful ballads with due reverence).
But by the late 1960s, rock music had taken full swing, and the ballad and folk boom was waning. To keep the band at the top, Teo Macero began producing their records for Columbia. Macero introduced new instrumentation to their music, including Louis Killen coming in to play concertina on backup, particularly on their 1968 album of sea songs, Sing of the Sea. But their last three albums for Columbia Record in 1969 and 1970 are considered by many to be overproduced, with a multitude of string instruments and synthesizers added to the simpler traditional Clancy mix of guitar, banjo, tin whistle and harmonica.
In 1969, the group recorded a song for a two-minute-long TV ad for Gulf Oil: "Bringin' Home the Oil". They adapted a traditional Scottish tune they had recorded, "The Gallant Forty Twa," with new words about large-capacity supertankers. The song and commercial featured the then-largest supertanker in the world, the Universe Ireland, which operated with sister ships Universe Kuwait, Universe Japan and Universe Portugal, all mentioned in the song and which operated from the seaport at Bantry Bay.
1969 marked the amicable departure of Tommy Makem from the group. Giving them a year's notice, Makem left in April 1969 to pursue a solo career armed with such recent compositions as "Four Green Fields", debuted on 1968's Clancy Brothers album, Home Boys Home.
The "other brother", Bobby Clancy, filled Tommy Makem's vacancy and the band became The Clancy Brothers.
Brennan On the Moor
The Clancy Brothers And Tommy Makem Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
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!
The Clancy Brothers And Tommy Makem's song "Brennan On the Moor" tells the story of a young and brave highwayman named Willie Brennan. The song describes his beginnings as a robber, his encounter with the mayor of Cashiell who recognizes him and tries to capture him, and his escape to the mountains. Along the way, Brennan's wife helps him by giving him a blunderbuss to protect himself. The second part of the song tells of how the authorities send cavalry and infantry to capture Brennan, but he manages to evade them for a long time until he is betrayed by a woman. In the end, Brennan is hanged at the crossroads, and his ghost is said to ride the King's highway with his blunderbuss.
The song is one of the most famous Irish ballads and has been performed by many artists over the years. It has a traditional feel to it, reflecting the history and folklore of Ireland. The lyrics are full of vivid descriptions that take the listener on a journey through the life of Willie Brennan. The song is also notable for its catchy melody which adds to its appeal.
Line by Line Meaning
Tis of a brave young highwayman this story I will tell
I shall narrate a tale of a young bold robber.
His name was Willie Brennan and in Ireland he did dwell
This robber's name was Willie Brennan, and he lived in Ireland.
It was on the Kilwood Mountain he commenced his wild career
Willie Brennan initiated his robber career on the Kilwood Mountain.
And many a wealthy nobleman before him shook with fear
Numerous rich lords got terrified of him even before encountering him.
It was Brennan on the moor, Brennan on the moor
Brennan is on the moor; this phrase repeats.
Bold, brave and undaunted was young Brennan on the moor
Young Brennan was fearless, heroic and courageous while being on the moor.
One day upon the highway as young Willie he went down
Willie Brennan rode on the highway one day.
He met the mayor of Cashiell a mile outside of town
He encountered the mayor of the town Cashiell one mile outside of it.
The mayor he knew his features and he said, Young man, said he
The mayor recognized him and called, 'Young man.'
Your name is Willie Brennan, you must come along with me
The mayor identified him as Willie Brennan and detained him.
Now Brennan's wife had gone to town provisions for to buy
Brennan's wife had gone shopping in town.
And when she saw her Willie she commenced to weep and cry
She saw her husband and started sobbing.
Said, Hand to me that tenpenny, as soon as Willie spoke
Willie instructed, 'Give me that tenpenny.'
She handed him a blunderbuss from underneath her cloak
She delivered a gun to him, hidden beneath her cloak.
Now with this loaded blunderbuss - the truth I will unfold -
With this loaded gun, I shall tell the truth.
He made the mayor to tremble and he robbed him of his gold
He scared the mayor and robbed him of his money.
One hundred pounds was offered for his apprehension there
One hundred pounds were promised as a bounty for catching him.
So he, with horse and saddle to the mountains did repair
He, with his horse and saddle, escaped to the mountains.
Now Brennan being an outlaw upon the mountains high
Brennan was an outlaw, hiding in the mountains.
With cavalry and infantry to take him they did try
The authorities made several attempts to capture him.
He laughed at them with scorn until at last 'twas said
He ridiculed them until a woman betrayed him.
By a false-hearted woman he was cruelly betrayed
A disloyal woman disclosed his whereabouts.
They hanged Brennan at the crossroads, in chains he hung and dried
The police caught and executed him, leaving his body at the crossroads.
But still they say that, in the night, some do see him ride
Some people claim to see him riding at night.
They see him with his blunderbuss, all in the midnight chill
They watch him holding his gun in the cold midnight.
Along, along the King's highway rides Willie Brennan still!
Willie Brennan is still seen riding along the King's highway.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: J BAIRD, PD TRADITIONAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kaibrennan3391
Tis of a brave young highwayman this story we will tell
His name was Willie Brennan and in Ireland he did dwell
It was on the Kilwood Mountains 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 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
It was Brennan on the moor, Brennan on the moor
Bold, brave and undaunted was young Brennan on the moor
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
It was Brennan on the moor, Brennan on the moor
Bold, brave and undaunted was young Brennan on the moor
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
Did young Brennan on the moor, Brennan on the moor
Bold, brave and undaunted was young Brennan on the moor
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
was Brennan on the moor, Brennan on the moor
Bold, brave and undaunted was young Brennan on the moor
They hanged Brennan at the crossroads, and there 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
And all along the King's highway rides Willie Brennan still!
It was Brennan on the moor, Brennan on the moor
Bold, brave and undaunted was young Brennan on the moor
@wolfmother4052
Brennan here !!!! my daddy's favorite song. Rest his blessed soul !!!
@bondie45
This is the best line up of The Clancy Brothers with Tommy Makem. R.I.P. God bless you all and Thank you for your wonderful music. xxx
@slyspy9819
Some of the greatest Harmonies ever recorded , they were a favorite of my Irish mom when I was growing up now I love these guys ...Go figure !
@bonnie1097
We had a great friend who was an American Civil War reenactor. He knew many of these songs and played them on guitar and banjo and we all sang around the campfire at night. It's never been the same since he passed away.
@TheJoetowngirl
I sang this to all my babies when they were little and they all love Irish music, Tommy Makem's most of all!!
@helenmurphy3143
i grew up on thes e guys my da d was a i r a man r i p
@edmundcoyle364
Great!
Magic! The power was still there. This recorded on a reunion tour, the 1980s. Marvelous.
@bcg911
Lucky me, I got to see Tommy and The Brothers live several times back in the day! What great fun!
@robthetindog8218
Saw them once as a child. Tho I didn’t want to go, I went & lo, these many years later, I’m SO glad I did. They were GREAT.
@bcg911
@@robthetindog8218 They put on a great show, even for the ones of us who were not Irish!!!