Rocky Road to Dublin

"Rocky Road to Dublin" is a fast-paced 19th century Irish song about a man's experiences as he travels to Dublin Ireland from his home in Tuam. The tune has a typical Irish rhythm, classified as a slip jig and is often performed instrumentally.

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

In the merry month of May 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 la de rah!

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 sinking;
That's a Paddy's cure whenever he's on drinking
See the lassies smile, laughing all the while
At me darlin' 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 falling,
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 bubbling;
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, temper I was losing;
Poor old Erin's Isle they began abusing.
"Hurrah me soul!" says I, let the shillelagh fly.
Some Galway boys were nigh and saw I was a hobble in,
With a loud "hurray!" joined in the fray.
Soon we cleared the way on the rocky road to Dublin,

"(Chorus)"

Recordings

* Bert Jansch
* Blaggards, in 2005.
* Brobdingnagian Bards, in 2002.
* Brian Roebuck
* Christy Moore, in 2000.
* The Clancy Brothers with Tommy Makem, in 1964.
* Clandestine, in 1996.
* Cruachan, in 2002.
* Damien Dempsey, in 2008.
* Dropkick Murphys, in 2001 and 2002.
* Fiddler's Green, in 1992.
* Orthodox Celts, in 1999
* The Dubliners, in 1964.
* Gaelic Storm, in 1998.
* The Pogues as part of a medley on "If I Should Fall from Grace with God" as well as a part of their early gigs (being replaced in their sets afterward by "Transmetropolitan").
* Paddy Reilly, in 1985.
* The Rolling Stones with The Chieftains, in 1995.
* Ryan's Fancy, in 1973.
* The Young Dubliners, in 2007.
* The High Kings, in 2008.
* [http://www.archive.org/details/RockyRoadToDublin-Original78rpmRecording Original 78rpm recording] from the early 20th Century.