THE BLACKBIRD OF SWEET AVONDALE

           (D)           (Bm)          (D)        (Bm)
  By The bright Bay of Dublin, while carelessly strolling
    (D)         (Bm)     (F#m)          (Bm)
  I sat myself down by a clear crystal stream
     (D)           (Bm)          (F#m)              (Bm)
  Reclined on the beach where the wild waves were rolling
      (D)      (Em)       (A7)        (D)
  In sorrow condoling, I spied a fair maid.

Her robes changed to mourning, that once were so glorious
I stood in amazement to hear her sad tale
Her heartstrings brought forth in wild accents deploring
Saying where is my blackbird of sweet Avondale

To the fair Counties Meath, Kerry, Cork and Tipperary
The notes of his country, my blackbird wil sing
But woe to the hour we'll part light and airy
He flew from my arms in Dublin to Queens

Oh Erin, my country, awake from your slumber
And bring back my blackbird so true unto me
Let everyone know the strengh of his murmur
That Ireland, a nation, would long to be free

Now the birds in the forest, for me have no charm
Not even the voice of the sweet nightingale
Her notes are so charming, fills my heart with alarm
Since I lost my poor blackbird of sweet Avondale.

Charles Stuart Parnell was the blackbird from Avondale, Co. Wicklow, born 1846. Taken from "A Bonnie Bunch Of Roses", Dan Milner & Paul Kaplan, Songs Of England, Ireland & Scotland. ^^