Rocky Road to Dublin

In the merry month of June from me home I started,

Left the girls of Tuam so nearly broken hearted,

Saluted Father dear, kissed me darling mother,

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;

In a brand new pair of brogues to rattle o'er the bogs

And frighten 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 way to Dublin, Whack fol la de rah!

In Mullingar that night I rested limbs so weary

Started by daylight next morning bright and early

Took a drop of the pure to keep me heart from sinking;

That's a Paddy's cure whenever he's on drinking

See the lassies smile, laughing all the while

At me darlin' style, 'twould set your heart a bubblin'

Asked me was I hired, wages I required

Till I was almost tired of the rocky road to Dublin,

(Chorus)

In Dublin next arrived, I thought it be a pity

To be soon deprived a view of that fine city.

Decided to take a stroll, all among the quality;

Me 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, they said me Connaught brogue

Wasn't much in vogue on the rocky road to Dublin,

(Chorus)

From there I got away, me spirits never falling,

Landed on the quay, just as the ship was sailing.

The 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 to Holyhead wished meself was dead,

Or better far instead on the rocky road to Dublin,

(Chorus)

The boys of Liverpool, when we were 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, let the shillelagh fly.

Some Galway boys were nigh and saw I was a hobble in,

With a loud "hurray!" joined in the fray.

Soon we cleared the way on the rocky road to Dublin,

(Chorus)