Traditional
The Rocky Road to Dublin
Was in the merry month of June when first from home I started
Left the girls of Tuam all sad and broken hearted
Saluted Father dear, kissed me darling mother
I Drank a pint of beer, me grief and tears to smother
Then off to reap the corn, leave where I was born
Cut a stout blackthorn to banish ghosts and goblins
A brand new pair of brogues, rattlin' o'er the bogs
Frightenin' all the dogs over the rocky road to Dublin
One two three four five
Hunt the Hare and turn her down the rocky road
And all the ways to Dublin, Whack fol lol de dah!
In Mullingar that night I rested limbs so weary
Started by daylight next morning bright and airy
Took a drop of the pure
Keep me heart from sinking
That's the Paddy's cure, ever he's on for drinking
To see the lassies smile, laughing all the while
At me curious style, 'twould set your heart a bubblin'
An' asked if I was hired, wages I required
'Till I was nearly tired of the rocky road to Dublin
One two three four five
Hunt the Hare and turn her down the rocky road
And all the ways to Dublin, Whack fol lol de dah!
In Dublin next arrived, I thought it such a pity
To be soon deprived a view of that fine city
Well then I took a stroll, all among the quality
Bundle it was stole, all in a neat locality
Something crossed me mind, when I looked behind
No bundle could I find upon me stick a wobblin'
Enquiring for the rogue, said me Connaught brogue
Wasn't much in vogue on the rocky road to Dublin
One two three four five
Hunt the Hare and turn her down the rocky road
And all the ways to Dublin, Whack fol lol de dah!
From there I got away, me spirits never falling
Landed on the quay, just as the ship was sailing
Captain at me roared, said that no room had he
When I jumped aboard, a cabin found for Paddy
Down among the pigs, played some funny rigs
Danced some hearty jigs, the water round me bubbling
When off Holyhead wished meself was dead
Or better far instead
On the rocky road to Dublin
One two three four five
Hunt the Hare and turn her down the rocky road
And all the ways to Dublin, Whack fol lol de dah!
The boys of Liverpool, when we safely landed
Called meself a fool, I could no longer stand it
Blood began to boil, temper I was losing
Poor old Erin's isle they began abusing
"Hurrah me soul!" says I, shillelagh I let fly
Galway boys were by and saw I was a hobblin'
With a loud "Hurray!" joined into the affray
Quickly cleared the way for the rocky road to Dublin
One two three four five
Hunt the Hare and turn her down the rocky road
And all the ways to Dublin, Whack fol lol de dah!
Hunt the Hare and turn her down the rocky road
And all the ways to Dublin, Whack fol lol de dah!