"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 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 blackthorn shillelagh, 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.
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 (+):
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.
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 !
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.
The song was adapted by songwriter Kiernan Anderson in a song entitled "Rocky Road to Edmonton".[6]