Rocky Road - Christy Moore

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 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

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 wobblin'

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 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

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 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

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