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The words were written by D. K. Gavan, "The Galway Poet", for the English music hall performer Harry Clifton (1832–1872), who popularized the song
We prefer the Clancy Brothers version. One of the more difficult songs to sing, primarily because you need to work out where to breathe. We prefer the Clancy Brothers version.
Rocky Road to Dublin
by trad
[Instrumental beginning over verse]
In the merry month of [Dm] June, from me home I started
Left the girls of Tuam, nearly [C] broken hearted
Sa- [Dm] luted father dear, kissed me darling mother
Drank a pint of beer, me [C] grief and tears to smother
Then [Dm] off to reap the corn, leave where I was born
With my stout blackthorn to [C] banish ghosts and goblins
A [Dm] brand new pair of brogues, rattlin’ o’er the bogs
And frightening all the dogs [C] on the Rocky road to Dublin
( Chorus
[Dm] One-two-three-four-five
Hunt the hare and turn her down the rocky road
And [C] all the way to Dublin
[Dm] Whack fol-lol-dee ra )
Well in Mullingar that night, I rested limbs so weary
Started by daylight next morning blithe and early
Took a drop of the “pure” to keep me heart from sinking
That’s the paddy’s cure whenever he’s on for drinking
To see the lassies smile, laughing all the while
At me curious style ‘twould set your heart a-bubbling
Asked if was I hired, wages I required
Till I was nearly tired of the rocky road to Dublin
Chorus
Well in Dublin next arrived I thought it such a pity
To be so soon deprived a view of that fine city
So then I took a stroll all among the quality
Bundle it was stole all in a neat locality
Something crossed me mind, when I looked behind
No bundle could I find upon my stick a-wobbling
Enquiring for the rogue, said me Connaught brogue
Wasn’t much in vogue on the rocky road to Dublin
Chorus
Well, from there I got away, me spirits never failing
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 Holyhead, wished meself was dead
Or better for instead on the rocky road to Dublin
Chorus
Well, 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, they began abusing
“Hurrah me soul,” says I, my shillelagh I let fly
Galway boys were nigh and saw I was a hobble in
With a loud “hurray” joined in the affray
We quickly cleared the way for the rocky road to Dublin
Chorus
In the merry month of [Dm] June, from me home I started
Left the girls of Tuam, nearly [C] broken hearted
Sa- [Dm] luted father dear, kissed me darling mother
Drank a pint of beer, me [C] grief and tears to smother
Then [Dm] off to reap the corn, leave where I was born
With my stout blackthorn to [C] banish ghosts and goblins
A [Dm] brand new pair of brogues, rattlin’ o’er the bogs
And frightening all the dogs [C] on the Rocky road to Dublin
( Chorus
[Dm] One-two-three-four-five
Hunt the hare and turn her down the rocky road
And [C] all the way to Dublin
[Dm] Whack fol-lol-dee ra )
Well in Mullingar that night, I rested limbs so weary
Started by daylight next morning blithe and early
Took a drop of the “pure” to keep me heart from sinking
That’s the paddy’s cure whenever he’s on for drinking
To see the lassies smile, laughing all the while
At me curious style ‘twould set your heart a-bubbling
Asked if was I hired, wages I required
Till I was nearly tired of the rocky road to Dublin
Chorus
Well in Dublin next arrived I thought it such a pity
To be so soon deprived a view of that fine city
So then I took a stroll all among the quality
Bundle it was stole all in a neat locality
Something crossed me mind, when I looked behind
No bundle could I find upon my stick a-wobbling
Enquiring for the rogue, said me Connaught brogue
Wasn’t much in vogue on the rocky road to Dublin
Chorus
Well, from there I got away, me spirits never failing
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 Holyhead, wished meself was dead
Or better for instead on the rocky road to Dublin
Chorus
Well, 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, they began abusing
“Hurrah me soul,” says I, my shillelagh I let fly
Galway boys were nigh and saw I was a hobble in
With a loud “hurray” joined in the affray
We quickly cleared the way for the rocky road to Dublin
Chorus