On the Rocky Road

A Paddy stoat - the hero of the song 'The Rocky Road to Dublin'.
'Twas a pleasure to draw, really. I love the Irish.

Song video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxBKgO…

While in the merry month of May, from me home I started
Left the girls of Tuam nearly brokenhearted
Saluted father dear, kissed me darling mother
Drank a pint of beer, me grief and tears to smother

Then off to reap the corn and leave where I was born
Cut a stout blackthorn to banish ghosts and goblins
Brand new pair of brogues to rattle over the bogs
And frighten 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 way to Dublin, whack-follol-le-da

In Mullingar that night I rested limbs so weary
Started by daylight, next mornin' light and airy
Took a drop of the pure to keep me heart from sinking
That's the paddy's cure when there he's on for drinking

To hear the lassies smile, laughing all the while
At me curious style, 'twould set your heart a-bubblin'
Asked me was I hired, and wages I required
Till I was almost tired of the rocky road to Dublin

One, two, three, four, five
Hunt the hare and turn her down the rocky road
And all the way to Dublin, whack-follol-le-da

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 stolen in that neat locality

Something crossed me mind when I looked behind
No bundle could I find upon me stick a-wobblin'
Inquiring after the rogue, said me Connaught brogue
It 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
And all the way to Dublin, whack-follol-le-da

From there I got away, me spirits never failing
Landed on the quay, just as the ship was sailing
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
And played some hearty jigs, the water 'round me bubblin'
When off Holyhead, I 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
And all the way to Dublin, whack-follol-le-da

The boys of Liverpool, when we safely landed
Called meself the fool, I could no longer stand it
Blood began to boil, temper I was losing
Poor Old Erin's Isle they began abusing

Hooray me soul, says I, me shillelagh I let fly
Galway boys were by and saw I was a hobble in
With a loud hurray, they joined me 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
And all the way to Dublin, whack-follol-le-da