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Avondale
(Dominic Behan)

Song Lyric as sung by Dick Gaughan

Oh saw ye aught of Avondale
Or lingered in her lovely vale?
Where tall trees whisper low the tale
Of Avondale's proud eagle

Where pride and ancient glory fade
This was the land where he was laid
Like Christ was thirty pieces paid
For Avondale's proud eagle

Oh saw ye aught of Avondale
Or lingered in her lovely vale?
Where tall trees whisper low the tale
Of Avondale's proud eagle

Long years that green and lovely vale
Had nursed Parnell, our grandest Gael,
And cursed the land that has betrayed
Fair Avondale's proud eagle

Oh saw ye aught of Avondale
Or lingered in her lovely vale?
Where tall trees whisper low the tale
Of Avondale's proud eagle

Song Notes

 

Learned from Al O'Donnell.

"Avondale's proud eagle" was Charles Stewart Parnell, (born at Avondale, County Wicklow in 1846) President of the Land League, President of the Home Rule Confederation and leader of the Irish Party.

He was very effectively politically neutralised and personally ruined by a carefully orchestrated vilification campaign over a sexual scandal.

This resulted in the defeat in the House of Lords of the Home Rule bill he had fought for, and by eliminating the last possibility of a democratic road to Irish self-determination, it made inevitable the 1916 insurrection and the War of Independence 1919-22.

Parnell Street in Dublin is named in his honour.

Recorded by Dick Gaughan

Live performance only

Also recorded by

Al O'Donnell

Music is available for this song in these formats:

mp3
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Notation
& Chords

Available here

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ABC
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Song Archive

Lyrics and music for songs sung by Dick Gaughan

Gaughan Website
Song Archive
Song Index A
Avondale