Charles Stewart Parnell was imprisoned in Kilmainham Jail
in Dublin in 1881 for the leading part he played in the Irish
Land League.  In songs of rebellion that the government might
consider seditious, it was common to use a pseudonym instead
of a person's real name. In this case, Parnell is
"the Blackbird of Sweet Avondale".


The Blackbird of Sweet Avondale  --- trad. arr. Silly Wizard


By the sweet bay of Dublin
While carelessly strollin'
I sat myself down by
a green myrtle shed.
Reclined on the beach as
the wild waves were rollin'
In sorrowful condolin'
I saw the fair maid.


Her robes changed to mourning
That once were so glorious
I stood in amazement
to hear her sad wail.
Her heartstrings burst forth
with wildness and tobrorias          ????????????
Sayin, where? Where is my Blackbird
of Sweet Avondale?


In the fair counties Meath,          ????????????
Wexford, Hark and Tipperary           ????????????
The rights of all Ireland
my blackbird did sing.
Ah, but woe to the hour
with hard light and day
away from arms
to Dublin to ???quing.               ????????????


The????????                          ????????????
and hopes to ensnare him
while I here in sorrow
his absence bewail.
Oh it grieves me to think
that the walls of Kilmainham
surround my dear Blackbird
of Sweet Avondale.


Oh Ireland my country
Awake from your slumbers
and get back my blackbird
so dear unto me.
And let everyone know
by the strength of your numbers
that we as a nation
would wish to be free.


The cold prison dungeons
is no habitation
for one to his country
was loyal and true.
Then give him his freedom
without hesitation
and remember he fought hard
for freedom and you.

Oh, heaven give ear
to my consultation
and strengthen the botsuns??            ????????
of ol' granuel??.                       ????????
And god grant that my country
will soon be a nation
and bring back my Blackbird
to Sweet Avondale.