The Makem & Spain Brothers: The Tradition Continues
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THE ROCKY ROAD TO DUBLIN

In the merry month of June, from me home I started
Left the girls of Tuam, really 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
And frightening all the dogs on the Rocky road to Dublin

Chorus:
One-two-three-four-five
Hunt the hare nd turn her down the rocky road
And all the way to Dublin
Whack fol-lol-dee ra

In Mullingar that night, I rested limbs so weary
Started by daylight next morning blithe and early
Took a drop of the "pure" to keep me heart from sinking
That's the paddy's cure whenever he's on for drinking
To see the lassies smile, laughing all the while
At me curious style 'twould set your heart a-bubbling
Asked me was I hired, wages I required
Till I was nearly 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
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 my stick a-wobbling
Enquiring for the rogue, they said me Connaught brogue
Wasn't much in vogue on the rocky road to Dublin

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 funny rigs
Danced some hearty jigs, the water round me bubbling
When off Holyhead, wished meself was dead
Or better for instead on the rocky road to Dublin

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 losing
Poor old Erin's Isle, they began abusing
"Hurrah me soul," says I, my 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

-Traditional