Brown William, The Power of the Harp, and Other Ballads

Transcribed from the 1913 Thomas J. Wise pamphlet by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org
by GEORGE BORROW
London: printed for private circulation
1913
Copyright in the United States of America by Houghton , Mifflin & Co. for Clement Shorter .
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.