While in the merry month of June, from my home I started Left the girls of Tuam nearly broken-hearted Saluted father dear, kissed me darlin' mother Then 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 ghost and goblin In a brand new pair of brogues, I rattled o'er the bogs And frightened 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 for all dee ah!
In Mullingar that night, I rested limbs so weary Started by daylight, next morning bright and early Took a drop o' the pure, to keep me heart from sinkin' That's the Paddy's cure whenever he's on for drinkin' To see the lassies smile, laughin' all the while At me curious style, would set your heart a-bubblin' They asked me was I hired, the wages I required 'Til I was almost tired of the rocky road to Dublin
(Repeat Chorus)
In Dublin next arrived, I thought it such a pity To be so soon deprived a view of that fine city Decided to take a stroll, all among the quality Me bundle it was stolen in that fine 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
(Repeat Chorus)
From there I got away, me spirits never failin' Landed on the quay just as the ship was sailin' Captain at me roared, said that no room had he When I jumped aboard, a cabin found for Paddy Down amongst the pigs, I skipped some funny rigs Played some hearty jigs, the water 'round me bubblin' When off Holyhead, I wished meself were dead Or better far instead, on the rocky road to Dublin
(Repeat 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 losin' Poor old Erin's isle they began abusin' "Hurrah, me soul," says I, shillelagh I let fly Some Galway boys were by, they saw I was a-hobblin' With a loud hurray, they joined in the affray We quickly cleared the way for the rocky road to Dublin