"Rocky Road to Dublin" is a 19th-century Irish song written by Irish poet D. K. Gavan about a man's experiences as he travels to Liverpool, England, from his home in Tuam, Ireland. Originally popularized by Harry Clifton, it has since been performed extensively and become a standard of Irish folk music. The song is also often performed instrumentally.
The words were written by D. K. Gavan, "The Galway Poet", for the English music hall performer Harry Clifton (1832–1872), who popularized the song.[1][2]
The song describes the adventures, troubles, and travails that the protagonist encounters on his travels. At the beginning of the song, the protagonist of the story states that he is "off to reap the corn" meaning he is off to seek his fortune. ("Corn" can refer to any cereal grain, such as wheat or barley, and metaphorically refers to wealth. Making "Off to reap the corn." a similar expression to other colloquialisms such as "Making paper" or "Stacking bread") He begins his journey by bidding farewell to his family and friends and preparing supplies. He leaves his hometown of Tuam, County Galway, on foot, and heads east, resting in Mullingar, County Westmeath, where he charms the local women with his "curious style" and swagger. He next arrives in the capital, Dublin, and decides to tour the city, but is robbed of his meagre possessions. He attempts to locate the thief ("Enquiring for the rogue"), but is mocked because of his accent ("Connaught brogue"). He hops a ship in the harbour headed for England, and is placed in the hold with the pigs, where he experiences severe sea sickness off the coast of Holyhead, Wales. He arrives in the English city of Liverpool where he is mocked by the locals because of his nationality. Losing his temper, he engages them in a fight using his blackthornshillelagh, but is outnumbered until a group of Irishmen from Galway come to his rescue ("join in the affray"), the first people who have helped him on his trip.
Music
The tune uses Dorian mode. It has a typical Irish rhythm, classified as a hop jig in 9/8 timing. An extra beat or two between chorus and verse is often added. Sometimes, the final line in the verses is sung with 7 strong musical beats (9 8 + 12 8):
And frighten all the dogs on the rocky road to Dublin. (every strong musical beat is in bold)
Rather than with 6 strong musical beats (9/8 + 9/8):
And frighten all the dogs on the rocky road to Dublin.
Lyrics
Wikisource has original text related to this article:
A pain in my shin bone, it set my heart a-bubbling;
And fearing the big cannon, looking o'er the Shannon,
I very quickly ran on the rocky road to Dublin.
In Mullingar, that night, I rested limbs so weary.
Started by daylight, with spirits light and airy;
Took a drop of the pure, to keep my spirits from sinking,
That's always an Irishman's cure, whenever he's troubled with thinking.
To see the lassies smile, laughing all the while
At my comical style, set my heart a-bubbling.
They axed if I was hired, the wages I required.
Until I was almost tired of the rocky road to Dublin.
In Dublin next arrived, I thought it was a pity
To be so soon deprived of a view of that fine city;
'Twas then I took a stroll, all among the quality,
My bundle then was stole in a neat locality,
Something crossed my mind, thinks I, I'll look behind.
No bundle could I find upon my stick a-wobbling.
Inquiring for the rogue, they said my Connaught brogue.
It wasn't much in vogue on the rocky road to Dublin.
A coachman raised his hand as if myself was wanting,
I went up to a stand, full of cars for jaunting;
"Step up, my boy!" says he; "Ah, that I will with pleasure,"
"And to the Strawberry Beds, I'll drive you at your leisure."
"A strawberry bed?" says I, "faith, that would be too high!"
"On one of straw I'll lie, and the berries won't be troubling";
He drove me out as far, upon an outside car.
Faith! such jolting never wor on the rocky road to Dublin.
I soon got out of that, my spirits never failing,
I landed on the quay, just as the ship was sailing.
The captain at me roared, swore that no room had he.
But when I leaped on board, they a cabin found for Paddy.
Down among the pigs I played such rummy rigs,
Danced some hearty jigs, with water round me bubbling.
But when off Holyhead, I wished that I was dead,
Or safely put in bed, on the rocky road to Dublin.
The boys in Liverpool, when on the dock I landed.
Called myself a fool, I could no longer stand it;
My blood began to boil, my temper I was losing.
And poor old Erin's Isle, they all began abusing.
"Hurrah! my boys," says I, my shillelagh I let fly.
Some Galway boys were by, they saw I was a hobbling;
Then with a loud "hurrah !" they joined me in the fray.
Faugh-a-ballagh! Clear the way! for the rocky road to Dublin!
There are many variations in the lyrics depending on the singer. For instance "June" in the first line is often, but not always, replaced by its Irish counterpart "Meitheamh" mistaken by some to be the English "May". Most interpretations of the twentieth century omit the second and antepenultimate verse, and replace the original chorus by the following:
One two three four five,
Hunt the hare and turn her down the rocky road
And all the way to Dublin, whack-fol-la-de-da !
Adaptations
The song is partially recited several times by Mr Deasy in James Joyce's novel Ulysses.
The song serves as the first movement of Peter Graham's composition Gaelforce, which exists in versions for brass band (2000, commissioned by Foden's Band)[4] and concert band (2001).[5] The main theme and chorus are repeated four times, rather than five as in most modern vocal performances.[citation needed]
The song was adapted by songwriter Kiernan Anderson in a song entitled "Rocky Road to Edmonton".[6]
.jpg)
