Transcribed from the 1913 Thomas J. Wise pamphlet by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org BROWN WILLIAM THE POWER OF THE HARP AND OTHER BALLADS BY GEORGE BORROW LONDON: PRINTED FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION 1913 _Copyright in the United States of America_ _by Houghton_, _Mifflin & Co. for Clement Shorter_. BROWN WILLIAM _This ballad was written in consequence of the execution of William Christian_, _generally called William Donn_, _or Brown William_, _from the darkness of his complexion_, _who was shot at Hango Hill_, _near Castletown_, _in the Isle of Man_, _shortly after the Restoration_, _for alleged treason to the Derby family_, _who long possessed the sovereignty of Man_. . . ._ The ballad of_ “_Brown William_,” _which gives an account of the betrayal of the poor patriot_, _and the vengeance taken by the hand of God upon his murderers_, _is the most popular of all the wild songs of Ellan Vannin_. Let no one in greatness too confident be, Nor trust in his kindred, though high their degree; For envy and rage will lay any man low: Thy murder, Brown William, fills Mona with woe. Thou wast the Receiver of Mona’s fair state, Thy conduct was noble, thy wisdom was great, And ne’er of thy rule did she weariness show: Thy murder, Brown William, fills Mona with woe. Thy right hand was Earley, and Theah thy right eye; Thy state caused thy foemen with rage to swell high; And envy and rage will lay any man low: Thy murder, Brown William, fills Mona with woe. How blest thy condition in fair Ronaldsway! Thy mansion, how stately! thy garden, how gay! But oh! what disasters from envy do flow: Thy murder, Brown William, fills Mona with woe. ’Twas said at thy trial, by men void of faith, The king, by a letter, demanded thy death; The jury was frighten’d, and dared not say “No!” Thy murder, Brown William, fills Mona with woe. The clan of wild Colcad could ne’er be at rest Whilst the race of Christeen their own acres possess’d; And envy and spite will bring any man low: Thy murder Brown William, fills Mona with woe. A band of adulterers, curst and unholy, For Ronaldsway lust, as they did for Logh Molley; Of Naboth, the tragedy’s played here anew: Thy murder, Brown William, fills Mona with woe. Not one of the band but received his just meed, Who acted a part in that damnable deed; To dwindle away the whole band was not slow: Thy murder, Brown William, fills Mona with woe. To Callaghyn-doo, and to Vannyster roam, And call on the Colcad till hoarse ye become; Gone, gone is the name so well known long ago: Thy murder, Brown William, fills Mona with woe.