Rocky Road To Dublin

(album: Traveller - 1999)

In the merry month of June all from my home I started
Left the girls in Tuam sad and broken hearted
Saluted me father dear, kissed my darling 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 ghost and goblin
In a brand new pair of brogues rattled o'er the bogs
Frightened all the dogs on the rocky road to Dublin

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-da

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 the Paddy's cure whenever he's on for drinking
To see the lassies smile, laughing all the while
At me curious style, t'would set your heart a bubbling
Asked if I was hired wages I required
I was bloody well 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 way to Dublin
Whack-fol-la-de-da

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 stolen in a neat locality
Something crossed me mind, I should look behind
No bundle could I find upon me stick a wobbling
Inquiring for the rogue said me Connacht 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 way to Dublin
Whack-fol-la-de-da

I soon got out of that me spirits never failing
Landed on the quay just as my ship was sailing
Captain at me roared said that no room had he
When I jumped aboard a cabin he found for Paddy
Down among the pigs played some funny rigs
Danced some hearty jigs the walls around me bubbling
When at Holyhead wished myself was dead
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 way to Dublin
Whack-fol-la-de-da

The boys of Liverpool when we were safely landed
They called me a fool I could no longer stand it
Me blood began to boil temper I was losing
Poor old Eireanns Isle they began abusing
Hurrah me soul sez I shillelagh I let fly
Galway boys were by they saw that I was a hobbling
Then with loud hurray joined in 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 way to Dublin
Whack-fol-la-de-da