Rocky Road to Dublin

In the merry month of June first from home I started Left the girls of Tuam all sad and broken-hearted Saluted me Father dear, kissed me darlin' Mother Drank a pint of beer my 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 A brand new pair of brogues I rattled o'er the bogs And 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 ways to Dublin Whack fol-lol-de-ra. A steam coach was at hand the driver said he'd cheap ones But sure the luggage van was too much for a ha'pance For England I was bound It would never do to balk it For every step of the road bedad says I I'll walk it I did not sigh or moan, until I saw Athlone A pain in my shin bone it would set your heart a bubbling Fearing the big cannon, looking or the Shannon, I very quickly ran on the rocky road to Dublin. One, two, three, four five, hunt the hare and turn her Down the rocky road, and all the ways to Dublin Whack fol-lol-de-ra. In Mullingar that night I rested limbs so weary, Started by daylight next morning light and airy, Took a drop of the pure, to keep my heart from sinking, That's the Paddy's cure, whene'er he's on for drinking, To see the lassies smile, laughing all the while, At my curious style, would set your heart a-bubbling, They asked if I was hired, the wages I required, Till I was almost 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 ways to Dublin Whack fol-lol-de-ra. A coachman raised his hands, as I myself was wanting I went up to the stand it was full of cars for jaunting Get up me boy says he Ah that I will with pleasure and too the strawberry beds, I'll drive you at me leisure A strawberry bed says I, faith, that would be to high On one of straw I'll lie and the berries won't be troubling He drove me out as far upon and outside car Such a jolting never were, on the rocky road to Dublin. One, two, three, four five, hunt the hare and turn her Down the rocky road, and all the ways to Dublin Whack fol-lol-de-ra. 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 stole in a neat locality; Something crossed my mind, then I looked behind, No bundle could I find upon me stick a-wobblin', Enquiring for the rogue, they said my Connaught 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 ways to Dublin Whack fol-lol-de-ra. From there I got away my spirits never failing, Landed on the quay as the ship was sailing, Captain at me roared, said that no room had he, When I jumped aboard, a cabin found for Paddy Down among the pigs, I played some funny rigs Danced some hearty jigs, the water round me bubblin' When off to Holyhead I wished that I was dead, Or 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 ways to Dublin Whack fol-lol-de-ra. The boys of Liverpool, when we safely landed, Called myself a fool, I could no longer stand it; Blood began to boil, temper I was losin' Poor old Erin's Isle they were all abusin' "Hurrah my soul!" says I, shillelagh I let fly, Galway boys were by, saw I was a hobblin' Then with a loud Hurray, they joined in the affray, We quickly cleared the way, on the rocky road to Dublin. One, two, three, four five, hunt the hare and turn her Down the rocky road, and all the ways to Dublin Whack fol-lol-de-ra.