“Sweet Avondu”
Description
The singer "never more shall view Those scenes I loved by Avondu." He recalls the scenes from the mountains to the sea. He bids farewell to Clara: "No more we meet by Avondu"
Notes
Croker-PopularSongs: "'Avondu,' says the author, means 'the Blackwater (Avunduff of Spenser).... It rises in a boggy mountain called Meenganine in [County Kerry] and discharges itself into the sea at Youghall." - BS
There is a certain amount of confusion about this author. Most sources list his name as James Joseph Callanan, but he is also sometimes listed under the name "Jeremiah" (and, yes, it is known that it is the same guy). Most sources agree that he was born in 1795, but his death date seemingly varies; Hoagland and MacDonagh/Robinson give 1829. He wrote some poetry of his own, but is probably best known for his translations from Gaelic. Works of his found in this index include "The Convict of Clonmel," "The Outlaw of Loch Lene," "Sweet Avondu," "The Virgin Mary's Bank," "Gougane Barra," and a translation of "Drimindown." - RBW
References
- Croker-PopularSongs, pp. 127-133, "Sweet Avondu" (1 text)
- BI, CrPS127