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ROCKY ROAD TO DUBLIN

In the merry month of May from my home I started
Left the girls of Tuam - nearly broken-hearted
Saluted Father dear, kissed my darlin' Mother
Drank a pint of beer my grief and tears to smother
Then off to reap the corn, and leave where I was born
I cut a stout blackthorn to banish ghosts and goblins
In a bran' 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 ways to Dublin
Whack fol-lol-de-ra

In Mullingar that night I rested limbs so weary
Started by daylight next morning light and airy
Took a drop of the pure, to keep my heart from sinking
That's an Irishman's cure, whene'er he's on for drinking
To see the lasses smile, laughing all the while
At my curious style, 'twould set your heart a-bubbling
They ax'd if I was hired, the wages I required
Till I was almost tired of the rocky road to Dublin

In Dublin next arrived, I thought it such a pity
To be so soon deprived a view of that fine city
Then I took a stroll out among the quality
My bundle it was stole in a neat locality
Something crossed my mind, then I looked behind
No bundle could I find upon me stick a-wobblin'
Enquiring for the rogue, they said my Connacht brogue
Wasn't much in vogue on the rocky road to Dublin

From there I got away my spirits never failing
Landed on the quay as the ship was sailing
Captain at me roared, said that no room had he
When I jumped aboard, a cabin found for Paddy
Down among the pigs, I played some funny rigs
Danced some hearty jigs, the water round me bubblin'
When off to Holyhead I wished myself was dead
Or better far, instead, on the rocky road to Dublin

The boys of Liverpool, when we safely landed
Called myself 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 my soul!" sez I, my shillelagh I let fly
Some Galway boys were by, saw I was a hobble in
Then with a loud Hurrah, they joined in the affray
We quickly cleared the way, for the rocky road to Dublin


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