Rocky Road To Dublin
Waxies Dargle Lyrics


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In the merry month of June, from me home I started
Left the girls of Tuam nearly broken hearted
Saluted father dear, kissed me darlin' 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 ghost and goblin
A brand new pair of brogues, rattlin o'er the bogs
And 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, another way to Dublin
Whack fol-laddie-ah!

In Mullingar that night I rested limbs so weary
Started by daylight next mornin' blithe and early
Took a drop of the pure to keep me heart from sinkin'
That's the Paddy's cure whenever he's on for drinkin'
See the ladies smile, laughin' all the while,
At me curious style, would set your heart a bubblin'
Asked me was I hired, wages I required,
Till I was nearly tired on the rocky road to Dublin

One, two, three, four, five
Hunt the hare and turn her
Down the rocky road, another way to Dublin
Whack fol-laddie-ah!

In Dublin next arrived, I thought it such a pity
To be soon deprived a view of that fine city
So then I took a stroll all amoung the quality
My 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'
Enquirein' for the rogue, they said me Connacht brogue
Wasn't much in vogue on the rock road to Dublin

One, two, three, four, five
Hunt the hare and turn her
Down the rocky road, another way to Dublin
Whack fol-laddie-ah!

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 amoung the pigs, played some funny rigs,
Danced some hearty jigs the water round me bubblin'
When off Holyhead, wished meself was dead,
Or better far instead on the rock road to Dublin

One, two, three, four, five
Hunt the hare and turn her
Down the rocky road, another way to Dublin
Whack fol-laddie-ah!

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 losin'
Poor old Erin's Isle they began abusin'
"Hurrah, me Soul!" says I, my shillelagh I let fly
Some Galway boys were nigh and saw I was a hobbelin'
With a loud "Hurray" joined in the affray
We quickly cleared the way on the rocky road to Dublin!

One, two, three, four, five
Hunt the hare and turn her




Down the rocky road, another way to Dublin
Whack fol-laddie-ah!

Overall Meaning

The song "Rocky Road to Dublin" by Waxies Dargle is a fast-paced ballad that tells the story of a man's journey from his hometown in Tuam to Dublin. The song begins in the merry month of June, where the singer leaves behind his family and friends to seek fortune in Dublin. The first verse describes his departure and how he drinks a pint of beer to smother his grief and tears. He cuts a stout blackthorn to banish ghost and goblins, and he wears a brand new pair of brogues to frighten all the dogs on the rocky road to Dublin. As he sets out on his journey, he meets some friends who are Hunting the Hare and Turn Her, and they invite him to come along.


In the second verse, the singer reaches Mullingar, and he rests in the town before setting out again the next morning. He takes a drop of the pure to keep his heart from sinking, which is a common cure for drinking. As he travels, he meets some ladies who laugh at his curious style and start asking him questions. They think he is looking for work, and he thinks they are offering him work. The conversation tires him, and he continues down the rocky road to Dublin.


In the third verse, the singer reaches Dublin and takes a stroll amongst the quality. While he is there, his bundle is stolen, and he starts to look for it. After enquiring for the rogue, he discovers that his Connacht brogue is not in vogue on the rocky road to Dublin. The fourth and final verse tells the story of the singer's arrival in Liverpool after crossing the Irish Sea. When he lands, the boys of Liverpool call him a fool, and he gets into a fight with them. He lets fly his shillelagh and joins forces with some Galway boys, and they quickly clear the way on the rocky road to Dublin.


Line by Line Meaning

In the merry month of June, from me home I started
In the pleasant month of June, I left my home


Left the girls of Tuam nearly broken hearted
I left the girls of Tuam feeling almost heartbroken


Saluted father dear, kissed me darlin' mother
I said goodbye to my dear father, and gave a quick kiss to my darling mother


Drank a pint of beer me grief and tears to smother
I had a pint of beer to help ease my grief and sadness in leaving


Then off to reap the corn, leave where I was born,
I set off to harvest the corn, and leave the place of my birth


Cut a stout blackthorn to banish ghost and goblin
I cut a strong and sturdy blackthorn stick to ward off any ghosts or goblins


A brand new pair of brogues, rattlin o'er the bogs
I wore a new pair of shoes, making a rattling sound as I walked over the bogs


And frightenin' all the dogs on the rocky road to Dublin
And scaring all the dogs that came across me on the rocky road to Dublin


One, two, three, four, five
A chant-like introduction to the chorus


Hunt the hare and turn her
A line in the chorus which does not have a specific meaning


Down the rocky road, another way to Dublin
The route taken to Dublin is not straightforward and involves a rocky road


Whack fol-laddie-ah!
An exclamation in the chorus, similar to a cheer or shout


In Mullingar that night I rested limbs so weary
One night, feeling very tired, I rested my weary limbs in Mullingar


Started by daylight next mornin' blithe and early
The next morning, I started out at dawn, feeling cheerful and eager


Took a drop of the pure to keep me heart from sinkin'
I had a drink of pure, strong liquor to keep my spirits from falling


That's the Paddy's cure whenever he's on for drinkin'
This is what Irish people drink to cure a hangover or to celebrate with when they drink


See the ladies smile, laughin' all the while,
I noticed the ladies smiling and laughing at me


At me curious style, would set your heart a bubblin'
My unique style and mannerisms would make your heart happy


Asked me was I hired, wages I required,
Some people asked if I was looking for work, and what my wages would be


Till I was nearly tired on the rocky road to Dublin
I was asked so much, I became nearly exhausted on the rocky road to Dublin


In Dublin next arrived, I thought it such a pity
When I arrived in Dublin, I was disappointed


To be soon deprived a view of that fine city
That I couldn't stay long and enjoy the view of the city


So then I took a stroll all amoung the quality
So I went for a walk among the well-off people


My bundle it was stole all in a neat locality
Unfortunately, my belongings were stolen in a tidy area


Something crossed me mind, when I looked behind
I had a thought, and turned around to look behind me


No bundle could I find upon me stick a-wobblin'
My bundle was gone, leaving me to walk with just my shaky stick


Enquirein' for the rogue, they said me Connacht brogue
Asking around for the thief, people recognized my Connacht accent


Wasn't much in vogue on the rock road to Dublin
This accent is not well-liked on the rocky road to Dublin


From there I got away, me spirits never failing
I moved on from there, with my spirits never losing their high


Landed on the quay just as the ship was sailing
I arrived on the dock just as the ship was leaving


The captain at me roared, said that no room had he
The captain yelled at me, saying there was no room for passengers


When I jumped aboard, a cabin found for Paddy:
But when I jumped on, a cabin became available for me


Down amoung the pigs, played some funny rigs,
I went down to the area of the pigs, and played some amusing tricks


Danced some hearty jigs the water round me bubblin'
I danced some lively jigs, feeling the bubbles of water at my feet


When off Holyhead, wished meself was dead,
But when we hit the seas near Holyhead, I felt like I wanted to die


Or better far instead on the rock road to Dublin
Or even better, be back on the rocky road to Dublin


Well, the boys of Liverpool, when we safely landed,
When we finally landed in Liverpool, the men there


Called meself a fool, I could no longer stand it,
Called me a fool, which I could not tolerate anymore


Blood began to boil, temper I was losin'
My blood started to boil, and I was losing my cool


Poor old Erin's Isle they began abusin'
They began insulting and abusing the beloved homeland of Ireland


"Hurrah, me Soul!" says I, my shillelagh I let fly
Excitedly, I shouted "Hurray, my soul!" and started swinging my shillelagh


Some Galway boys were nigh and saw I was a hobbelin'
Some boys from Galway were nearby and saw that I was stumbling


With a loud "Hurray" joined in the affray
They joined in with a loud cheer and joined in the commotion


We quickly cleared the way on the rocky road to Dublin!
Together, we cleared a path on the rocky road to Dublin




Writer(s): Joseph Young, Dick Finch, sam M. Lewis

Contributed by Ava L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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