Rocky Road to Dublin
Ireland's Finest Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Left the girls of Tuam 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
A brand new pair of brogues, rattlin' o'er the bogs
Frightenin' all the dogs on the rocky road to Dublin
One two three four five
Hunt the Hare and turn her down the rocky road
And all the way to Dublin, Whack fol lol le rah!
In Mullingar that night I rested limbs so weary
Started by daylight me spirits bright and airy
Took a drop of the pure
Keep me heart from sinking
That's the Paddy's cure whenever he's on drinking
To see the lassies smile, laughing all the while
At me curious style, 'twould set your heart a bubblin'
An' asked if I was hired, wages I required
'Till I was nearly tired of the rocky road to Dublin
One two three four five
Hunt the Hare and turn her down the rocky road
And all the way to Dublin, Whack fol lol le rah!
In Dublin next arrived, I thought it such a pity
To be soon deprived a view of that fine city
Well 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 me stick a wobblin'
Enquiring for the rogue, said me Connaught brogue
Wasn't much in vogue on the rocky road to Dublin
One two three four five
Hunt the Hare and turn her down the rocky road
And all the way to Dublin, Whack fol lol le rah!
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 Holyhead wished meself was dead
Or better far instead
On the rocky road to Dublin
One two three four five
Hunt the Hare and turn her down the rocky road
And all the way to Dublin, Whack fol lol le rah!
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, me shillelagh I let fly
Some 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
One two three four five
Hunt the Hare and turn her down the rocky road
And all the way to Dublin, Whack fol lol le rah!
Hunt the Hare and turn her down the rocky road
And all the way to Dublin, Whack fol lol le rah!
Whack fol lol le rah!
Whack fol lol le rah!
The "Rocky Road to Dublin" is a traditional Irish song that vividly describes a journey from the singer's hometown to the capital city. The song starts with the singer explaining that he left his hometown and the girls who loved him in June, saluted his father and kissed his mother, drank a pint of beer to comfort himself, and then set off to reap the corn in a new place. During his travels, he encountered many challenges, such as ghosts, goblins, and numerous dogs that barked at him as he passed through the rocky and deserted path. He was also constantly searching for employment, and he encountered some lassies who laughed at him.
After more traveling, he finally arrived in Dublin, but the joys of being in the city were short-lived as he was robbed of his bundle. Later on, as he was preparing to leave the city, he boarded a ship to Liverpool, but as he embarked, he faced more challenges as the captain didn't want him on board. He eventually finds a spot among the pigs and dances some jigs with his shillelagh before finding himself embroiled in a fight with some men from Galway.
The song captures the essence of the Irish spirit, determination, and resilience in the face of adversity. The singer's journey, which communicates many of the struggles Irish people experienced as they traveled, was a popular theme in Irish traditional songs. Ultimately, the song is a rousing tribute to the perseverance of the Irish character.
Line by Line Meaning
In the merry month of June from me home I started
In the delightful month of June, I embarked from my humble abode
Left the girls of Tuam nearly broken hearted
I left behind the young ladies of Tuam with saddened countenances
Saluted Father dear, kissed me darling mother
I bid farewell to my beloved Father and Mother with a warm embrace and a loving last kiss
Drank a pint of beer, me grief and tears to smother
I drank a pint of beer to subdue my sorrow and to restrain my tears
Then off to reap the corn, leave where I was born
I left my birthplace to harvest the corn in a foreign land
Cut a stout blackthorn to banish ghosts and goblins
I wielded a robust blackthorn to drive away supernatural apparitions
A brand new pair of brogues, rattlin' o'er the bogs
I strutted through the marshy terrain with a brand new pair of shoes, resonating their powerful clattering sound
Frightenin' all the dogs on the rocky road to Dublin
My presence scared off all the canines on my journey on the rugged route to Dublin
One two three four five
Hunt the Hare and turn her down the rocky road
And all the way to Dublin, Whack fol lol le rah!
A chant to motivate and distract oneself from the adversities of the long journey ahead
In Mullingar that night I rested limbs so weary
At nightfall, I rested my aching body in Mullingar
Started by daylight me spirits bright and airy
By dawn, my mood was lively and optimistic
Took a drop of the pure
Keep me heart from sinking
That's the Paddy's cure whenever he's on drinking
I consumed some alcohol - the remedy favoured by the Irish to alleviate melancholy and for invigoration
To see the lassies smile, laughing all the while
At me curious style, 'twould set your heart a bubblin'
The women's smiles and laughter towards my bizarre mannerisms were delightful and heartwarming
An' asked if I was hired, wages I required
'Till I was nearly tired of the rocky road to Dublin
Numerous inquests into my employ and compensation needs became bothersome on my travels to the capital
In Dublin next arrived, I thought it such a pity
To be soon deprived a view of that fine city
Upon reaching Dublin, I felt it unfortunate that my stay was to be short, thereby missing the splendours of the city
Well then I took a stroll, all among the quality
Bundle it was stole, all in a neat locality
I roamed amidst the upper class and my possessions got pinched, in a decent neighbourhood
Something crossed me mind, when I looked behind
No bundle could I find upon me stick a wobblin'
I realised my loss only when I turned my back, with my walking stick in hand and without my belongings
Enquiring for the rogue, said me Connaught brogue
Wasn't much in vogue on the rocky road to Dublin
My attempts to investigate the thief's whereabouts with my distinct rural accent, didn't come across as fashionable or authoritative
From there I got away, me spirits never falling
Landed on the quay, just as the ship was sailing
I departed on a high note and reached the harbour just as the ship was departing
The Captain at me roared, said that no room had he
When I jumped aboard, a cabin found for Paddy
The captain initially disapproved of my lazy presence but eventually allowed me onboard, finding a suitable cabin for my stay
Down among the pigs, played some funny rigs
Danced some hearty jigs, the water round me bubbling
I pranced among the swine, performed humorous acts, and danced energetically causing the water to vibrate
When off Holyhead wished meself was dead
Or better far instead
On the rocky road to Dublin
As we sailed away from Holyhead, I wished for death, or a better life, but still bothered by the difficult journey to Dublin
The boys of Liverpool, when we safely landed
Called meself a fool, I could no longer stand it
Upon a safe landing in Liverpool, the locals ridiculed me, causing me to lose my temper
Blood began to boil, temper I was losing
Poor old Erin's isle they began abusing
My rage intensified as they continued to insult my beloved homeland
"Hurrah me soul!" says I, me shillelagh I let fly
Some Galway boys were nigh and saw I was a hobble in
I exclaimed joyously and targeted my attackers with my shillelagh. Some allies from Galway who witnessed the brawl saw me struggling
With a loud "Hurray!" joined in the affray
We quickly cleared the way for the rocky road to Dublin
They also raised their voices in cheer and united in the fight, clearing a pathway toward Dublin
Whack fol lol le rah!
Whack fol lol le rah!
Hunt the Hare and turn her down the rocky road
And all the way to Dublin, Whack fol lol le rah!
A repetitive chant to excitedly conclude the journey of the rocky road to Dublin
Contributed by Max O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.