THE ROCKY ROAD TO DUBLIN

1. In the merry month of May from my home I started
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, and 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 frightenin' 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-di-da.

2. In Mullingar that night I rested limbs so weary,
Started by daylight next morning bright and early,
Took a drop of pure, to keep my heart from sinkin',
That's a Paddy's cure, whenever he's on for drinkin',
To see the lasses smile, laughing all the while,
At my curious style, 'twould set your heart a-bubbling,
They asked if I was hired, wages I required,
'Til I was almost tired of the rocky road to Dublin.

Chorus

3. 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 all 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

4. From there I got away my spirits never failin',
Landed on the quay as the ship was sailin',
Captain at me roared, said that no room had he,
When I jumped aboard, a cabin found for Paddy,
Down among the pigs, did some hearty rigs
Played some funny jigs, the water round me bubblin'
When off to Holyhead, I wished myself was dead,
Or better far, instead, on the rocky road to Dublin.

Chorus

5. 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 loosin'
Poor old Erin's isle they began abusin'
"Hurrah my soul!" sez I, my shillelagh I let fly,
Some Galway boys were by, they saw I was a hobblin',
Then with a loud Hooray, they joined in the affray,
We quickly cleared the way, for the rocky road to Dublin.

Chorus