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The Rocky Road To Dublin Obviously a County Galway ditty, distinctive for its catchy 9/8 timing and clever phrasing. Always much in vogue in Irish music circles.

In the merry month of June, from my home I started, Left the girls of Tuam so sad and broken-hearted, Saluted father dear, kissed me darlin' 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, A pair of brand-new brogues, rattlin' o'er the bogs, Frightened all the dogs on the Rocky Road to Dublin, 1-2-3-4-5 Hunt the hare and turn 'er down the rocky road And all the way to Dublin, whack-fal-ol-dee-rah. In Mullingar that night I rested limbs so weary, Started 'fore the light next mornin' bright and early, Took a drop of the pure to keep me heart from sinking, That's the Paddy's cure when e'er he's on to drinking. Now see the lassies smile, laughin' all the while At me curious style, 'twould set your heart a-bubblin, Asked me, was I hired, wages I required, Till I was nearly tired of the Rocky Road to Dublin, 1-2-3-4-5 Hunt the hare and turn 'er down the rocky road And all the way to Dublin, whack-fal-ol-dee-rah. In Dublin next arrived, I thought it such a pity To be so soon deprived a view of that fine city, Thought I'd take a stroll, all among the quality, Bundle it was stolen in a neat locality, Something crossed me mind, quickly looked behind, No bundle I could find upon me stick a-wobblin' 'Quirin' for the rogue, said me Connaught brogue Wasn't much in vogue on the Rocky Road to Dublin, 1-2-3-4-5 Hunt the hare and turn 'er down the rocky road And all the way to Dublin, whack-fal-ol-dee-rah. From there I got away, me spirits never failin' Landed on the quai just as the ship was sailin' Captain at me roared, said that no room had he, Quickly 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 Holyhead, wished meself were dead Or better far instead on the Rocky Road to Dublin, 1-2-3-4-5 Hunt the hare and turn 'er down the rocky road And all the way to Dublin, whack-fal-ol-dee-rah. The boys of Liverpool, when we 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, sure they began abusing, Hurrah, me boys! says I, shilellaigh I let fly, Galway boys were nigh, they saw I was a hobble in, Then with a loud hurray, joined in the affray, Quickly cleared the way for the Rocky Road to Dublin, 1-2-3-4-5 Hunt the hare and turn 'er down the rocky road And all the way to Dublin, whack-fal-ol-dee-rah. Tuam: town in Co. Galway on the Galway-Dublin Road. brogues: boots Mullingar: town in Co. Westmeath on the Galway-Dublin Road. 'Quirin': inquiring Connaught: on the four provinces of Ireland, of which Co. Galway is part. Holyhead: seaport in Wales, terminus of the Dublin-Holyhead ferry.

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