Rocky Road to Dublin

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For the 1968 film of the same name, see Rocky Road to Dublin (film).

"Rocky Road to Dublin" is a fast-paced 19th century Irish song about a man's experiences as he travels to Dublin Ireland from his home in Tuam. The tune has a typical Irish rhythm, classified as a slip jig and is often performed instrumentally.

[edit] Lyrics

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)

[edit] Recordings

• Bert Jansch
• Brobdingnagian Bards, in 2002.
• Christy Moore, in 2000.
• The Clancy Brothers with Tommy Makem.
• Clandestine, in 1996.
• Cruachan, in 2002.
• Dropkick Murphys, in 2001 and 2002.
• Orthodox Celts in 1999
• The Dubliners, in 1964.
• Gaelic Storm, in 1998.
• The Pogues as part of a medley on If I Should Fall from Grace with God as well as a part of their early gigs (being replaced in their sets afterward by "Transmetropolitan").
• The Rolling Stones with The Chieftains, in 1995.
• Ryan's Fancy, in 1973.
• The Young Dubliners, in 2007.
• The High Kings, in 2008.
• Original 78rpm recording from the early 20th Century.