21 Avril: dimanche estival

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 goblins, 
A bran’ 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
All the ways to Dublin
Whack fol-lol-le-ra

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 sinkin’
That’s the Paddy’s cure, whenever he’s on for drinking
To see the lassies smile, laughin’ all the while,
At me curious style, ‘twould set your heart-a-bubblin’
And 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
All the ways to Dublin
Whack fol-lol-le-ra

In Dublin next arrived, I thought it such a pity
To be so soon deprived, a view of that fine city
Well then they took a stroll all among the quality
Bundle it was stole all in the neat locality
Something crossed my mind, when I looked behind
No bundle could I find upon me stick a-wobblin’
Enquirin’ for the rogue, they said my 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 fol-lol-le-ra

From there I got away, me spirits never failin’
Landed on the Quay just as the ship was sailin’
The Captain at me roared, said that no room had he
When I jumped aboard, a cabin found for Paddy
Down among the pigs, made some funny rigs,
Danced some party jigs, the water round me bubblin’
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
All the ways to Dublin
Whack fol-lol-le-ra

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 said I, me shillelagh I let fly
Galway boys were nigh and saw I was a hobblin’
With a loud hurray, joined in the affray
They 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 fol-lol-le-ra
Hunt the hare and turn her

Down the rocky road
All the ways to Dublin
Whack fol-lol-le-ra…
Whack fol-lol-le-ra…
Whack fol-lol-le-ra…

The Kings of Connaught – The Rocky Road to Dublin