In the merry month of June from me home I started, Left the girls of Tuam so sad and broken hearted, Saluted father dear, kissed me darlin' mother! Then drank a pint of beer, tears and grief to smother Then off to reap the corn, leave where I was born, Cut a stout black thorn to banish ghosts and goblins! Bought a pair of brogues rattling o'er the bogs And fright'ning 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 follol 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'd be a pity To be soon deprived a view of that fine city. So then I took 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 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 hearty rigs, Danced some hearty jigs, the water round me bubblin'; When off Holyhead wished meself was dead, Or better for instead on the rocky road to Dublin,
(Chorus)
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, shillelagh I let fly. Some Galway boys were nigh and saw I was a hobblin', With a loud "hurray!" joined in the affray. We quickly cleared the way for the rocky road to Dublin,