While in the merry month of May now from my home I started
Left the girls of Tuam, was nearly broken-hearted
Saluted father dear, I kissed me darling mother
Then 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 black thorn to banish ghosts and goblins
A brand-new pair of brogues rattling over the bogs
Frightening 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 ways to Dublin, whack-follol-de-rah
In Mullingar that night I rested, limbs so weary
Started by daylight, next morning blithe and early
I took a drop of the pure to keep me heart from sinking
That's a paddy's cure whenever he's on for drinking
Hear the lassies smile, laughing all the while
At me curious style, it'll set your heart a bubblin'
Asked him was I hired, wages I required
I was sick and tired of the rocky road to Dublin
One, two, three, four, five
Hunt the hare and turn her down the rocky road
All the ways to Dublin, whack-follol-de-rah
In Dublin next arrived, I thought it such a pity
To be so soon deprived a view of that fine city
When I took a stroll, all among the quality
My bundle it was stole, in a neat locality
Something crossed me mind when I looked behind
No bundle did I find, upon me stick a wobblin'
Enquiring after the rogue, they 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
All the ways to Dublin, whack-follol-de-rah
From there I got away, my spirit never failin'
I landed on the quay 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, did some hearty rigs
I danced some hearty jigs, the water round me bubblin'
Went off Holyhead, wish myself was dead
Or better for instead on the rocky road to Dublin
One, two, three four, five
Hunt the hare and turn her down the rocky road
All the ways to Dublin, whack-follol-de-rah
Well, the boys of Liverpool, when we safely landed
They called me 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 me says I, me shillelagh, I let fly
Galway boys combine and saw I was a-hobblin'
With a load hurray, joined in the affray
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
All the ways to Dublin, whack-follol-de-rah