"Rocky Road to Dublin"

No personal notes.

Wikipedia claims that 'the words were written by D. K. Gavan, "The Galway Poet", for the English music hall performer Harry Clifton (1824-1872), who popularised the song.'

Lyrics

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-lal-de-rah!

In Mullingar that night I rested limbs so weary
Started by daylight next morning bright and early
Took a drop o' the pure to keep me heart from sinking;
That's a Paddy's cure whenever he's on the drinking
See the lassies smile, laughing all the while
At me curious 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 failing,
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 bubblin';
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, me temper I was losing;
Poor old Erin's Isle they began abusing.
"Hurrah me soul!" says I, shillelagh I let fly.
Some Galway boys were nigh and saw I was a-hobblin',
With a loud "hurray!" joined in the afray.
Soon we cleared the way on the rocky road to Dublin,

(Chorus)