Rocky Road to Dublin, The
Sheet Music (and more information about this song)
Well in the merry month of May from my home I parted
Left the girls of Tuam nearly broken-hearted
Saluted Father dear, kissed my darlin' Mother
Drank a pint of beer my grief and tears to smother
Then off to reap the corn, leave where I was born
I cut a stout blackthorn to banish ghosts and goblins,
A brand new pair of brogues, rattling o'er the bogs
And frightening all the dogs on the rocky road to Dublin,
Chorus:
One, two, three, four five, hunt the hare and turn her
Down the rocky road, and all the ways to Dublin
Whack fol-lol-dee-da.
In Mullingar that night I rested limbs so weary,
Started by daylight next morning light and airy,
Took a drop of the pure, to keep my heart from sinkin',
That's a paddy's cure, whenever he's on for drinking,
To see the lasses smile, laughing all the while,
At my curious style, would set your heart a-bubbling,
They asked if I was hired, what wages I required,
Till I was almost tired of the rocky road to Dublin.
Chorus
In Dublin next arrived, I thought it such a pity,
To be so soon deprived a view of that fine city,
Then I took a stroll out among the quality,
My bundle it was stole in a neat locality,
Something crossed my mind, when I looked behind,
No bundle could I find upon me stick a-wobblin',
Enquiring for the rogue, they said my Connaught brogue
Wasn't much in vogue on the rocky road to Dublin.
Chorus
From there I got away my spirits never failing,
Landed on the quay 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, I played some funny jigs
Danced among the rigs, the water round me bubblin'
When off Holyhead I wished myself was dead,
Or better far, instead, on the rocky road to Dublin.
Chorus
The boys of Liverpool, when we safely landed,
Called myself a fool, I could no longer stand it,
Blood began to boil, temper I was losin'
Poor old Erin's isle they began abusin'
"Hurrah my soul!" says I, shillelagh I let fly,
Some Galway boys were by, saw I was a hobblin',
Then with a loud hurray, they joined in the affray,
We quickly cleared the way, for the rocky road to Dublin.
Chorus
Comp: words by D.K. Gavan
Discography: The Dubliners
The High Kings
History: See also hop jig#6, slip jig#50
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