# Once a Week (magazine)/Series 1/Volume 6/Ballads of the Isle of Man: Brown William - Mollie Charane

BALLADS OF THE ISLE OF MAN.
Translated from the Manx. By GEORGE BORROW.
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. Christian had been Receiver-General of the island, and on its being threatened by a powerful fleet and army, sent by Cromwell, had deemed it expedient to deliver it up on honourable conditions, the little kingdom being in an almost utterly defenceless state. For doing so, however, on the downfall of the Protectorate, he was tried, and, being convicted by a packed jury, was shot. He died with great courage, and with his last breath prayed God to forgive his enemies. His body was buried, the day after his execution, in the chancel of the church of Malew, or Saint Lupus, in the neighbourhood of Castletown. He was a man of irreproachable morals and of great piety; had old Danish blood in his veins, and lived principally at a place a little way to the north of Castletown, which bears the Danish or Norwegian name of Ronaldsway, or Ranild’s Oe. Christian has been mentioned in a certain novel by Walter Scott, called "Peveril of the Peak," for the Manx materials of which Scott was chiefly indebted to an acquaintance of his long resident in Man, and who wrote a very creditable history of the island. Not daring to attack Christian directly, whom he hated on account of his puritanical principles, he gave him a side-thrust, by making it appear that he had a brother, whom he represents as a consummate villain, though the truth is that Christian had no brother at all. The name of Christian is still held in the highest veneration in Man; and 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.
BROWN WILLIAM.
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 Barley, 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 i-eceived 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.
A cripple was Robin for many years long,
Who troubled and bullied the island when strong: His own friends of tending him weary did grow: Thy murder, Brown William, fills Mona with woe.
Sly Richard took ship with thy blood on his hand; But God can avenge on the sea as on land; The waves would not bear him, but whelm'd him, trow: Thy murder, Brown William, fills Mona with woe.