Trad.
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 oll di 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 sinkin’
That’s the paddy’s cure whenever he’s on for drinkin’
To see the lassies smile, laughin’ all the while
At me curious style, t’would set your heart a bubblin’
Asked if I was hired wages I required I was bloody well tired
Of the rocky road to Dublin
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 wobblin’
Inquiring for the rogue said me Connacht brogue wasn’t much in vogue
On the rocky road to Dublin
I soon got out of that me spirits never failin’
Landed on the quay just as my ship was sailin’
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 bubblin’
When at Holyhead wished myself was dead, better far instead
On the rocky road to Dublin
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 losin’
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 hobblin’
Then with loud hurray joined in the affray quickly cleared the way
For the rocky road to Dublin