Printed from Cantaria, a folk song archive.
For an audio example of the song being sung, see: http://www.chivalry.com/cantaria/lyrics/avondale.html

This example of "Avondale" is sung by Matt Connolly
Please refer to Cantaria's Copyright information

sheet music (toggle as desired for printing)

Background notes

This song is about Charles Parnell, the leader of the Irish Home Rule Movement in the 1880s. After a scandal about his romance with Kathleen (Kitty) O'Shea in 1889, his supporters, under a campaign of hatred by both the English press and the Catholic church, deserted him. He died in 1891 without ever getting Home Rule enacted.

Bio of Charles Parnell   Bio of Dominic Behan    

Chorus:
 Oh have you been to Avondale
And wandered in the lovely vale
Where tall trees whisper all the tale
Of Avondale's proud eagle

Where fame and ancient glory fate
Such was the land where he was laid
Like Christ was thirty pieces paid
For Avondale's proud eagle

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