"Rocky Road to Dublin" is a 19th-century Irish song about a man's experiences as he travels to Liverpool in England from his home in Tuam in Ireland. It is often performed instrumentally.
Origin
The words were written by D. K. Gavan, "The Galway Poet", for the English music hall performer Harry Clifton, who popularized the song. 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. 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 meager possessions. He attempts to locate the thief, but is mocked. He hops a ship in the harbor 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, 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 slip 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 : Rather than with 6 strong musical beats :
Lyrics
Version reported by Manus O'Connor in 1901.
Hunt the hare and turn her down the rocky road And all the way to Dublin, whack-fol-la-de-da There are many variations in the lyrics depending on the singer. For instance "June" in the first line is often replaced by "May". Most interpretations of the twentieth century omit the second and antepenultimate verse, and replace the original chorus by the following:
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 and concert band. The main theme and chorus are repeated four times, rather than five as in most modern vocal performances.
