While in the merry month of June, 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 ghost and goblin
A brand-new pair of brogues to rattle over the bogs
And frighten 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-rah!
In Mullingar that night I rested, limbs so weary
Started by daylight next mornin', blithe and airy
Took a drop of the pure to keep my heart from sinkin'
That's the paddy's cure, whene'er he's on for drinking
To see the la**es smile, laughing all the while
At my curious style—‘twould set your heart a-bubblin'
They ax'd me was I hired, the wages I required
Till I was almost tired of 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-rah!
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, all among the quality
Bundle it was stole, in a neat locality
Something crossed my mind, when I looked behind
No bundle could I find upon my stick a wobblin'
Enquirin' after the rogue, they said my Connacht brogue
Wasn't much in vogue, 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-rah!
From there I got away, my spirits never failin'
Landed on the quay 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 among the pigs; I did some heary rigs
Danced some hearty jigs—the water round me bubblin'
When off Holyhead, I wished myself was dead
Or better far instead, 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-rah!
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 ould Erin's isle they began abusin'
“Hurrah my soul!” says I, my shillelagh I let fly
Some Galway boys were by and saw I was a hobblin'
With a loud hurray, they joined into the affray
We quickly cleared the way, for 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-rah!