Rocky Road To Dublin
Encyclopedia
"Rocky Road to Dublin" is a fast-paced 19th century song
about a man's experiences as he travels to Liverpool
, England
from his home in Tuam
. The tune has a typical Irish rhythm, classified as a slip (or hop) jig
in 9/8 timing, and is often performed instrumental
ly.
(1824-1872), who popularised the song.
The lyrics refer to the Irish capital city Dublin, the Irish towns Tuam
and Mullingar
, the Welsh town Holyhead
, the Irish city Galway
and the English city Liverpool
.
There are many variations in the lyrics depending on the singer. For instance "June" in the first line is often replaced by "May", etc. Most interpretations of the twentieth century omit the second and antepenultimate couplets, and replace the chorus by the following :
Music of Ireland
Irish Music is the generic term for music that has been created in various genres on the island of Ireland.The indigenous music of the island is termed Irish traditional music. It has remained vibrant through the 20th, and into the 21st century, despite globalizing cultural forces...
about a man's experiences as he travels to Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
from his home in Tuam
Tuam
Tuam is a town in County Galway, Ireland. The name is pronounced choo-um . It is situated west of the midlands of Ireland, and north of Galway city.-History:...
. The tune has a typical Irish rhythm, classified as a slip (or hop) jig
Slip jig
Slip jig refers to both a style within Irish music, and the Irish dance to music in slip-jig time. The slip jig is in 9/8 time, traditionally with accents on 5 of the 9 beats — two pairs of crotchet/quaver followed by a dotted crotchet note.The slip jig is one the four most common Irish...
in 9/8 timing, and is often performed instrumental
Instrumental
An instrumental is a musical composition or recording without lyrics or singing, although it might include some non-articulate vocal input; the music is primarily or exclusively produced by musical instruments....
ly.
Origin
The words were written by D.K. Gavan, "The Galway Poet", for the English music hall performer Harry CliftonHarry Clifton
Harry Clifton is an Irish poet. He was born in Dublin, but has lived in Africa and Asia, as well as more recently in continental Europe...
(1824-1872), who popularised the song.
The lyrics refer to the Irish capital city Dublin, the Irish towns Tuam
Tuam
Tuam is a town in County Galway, Ireland. The name is pronounced choo-um . It is situated west of the midlands of Ireland, and north of Galway city.-History:...
and Mullingar
Mullingar
Mullingar is the county town of County Westmeath in Ireland. The Counties of Meath and Westmeath Act of 1542, proclaimed Westmeath a county, separating it from Meath. Mullingar became the administrative centre for County Westmeath...
, the Welsh town Holyhead
Holyhead
Holyhead is the largest town in the county of Anglesey in the North Wales. It is also a major port adjacent to the Irish Sea serving Ireland....
, the Irish city Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
and the English city Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
.
Variations
The song is partially recited several times by Mr. Deasy in James Joyce's Ulysses.There are many variations in the lyrics depending on the singer. For instance "June" in the first line is often replaced by "May", etc. Most interpretations of the twentieth century omit the second and antepenultimate couplets, and replace the chorus by the following :
- One two three four five,
- Hunt the hare and turn her down the rocky road
- And all the ways to Dublin, whack-fol-la-de-da !
Recordings
- Bert JanschBert JanschHerbert "Bert" Jansch was a Scottish folk musician and founding member of the band Pentangle. He was born in Glasgow and came to prominence in London in the 1960s, as an acoustic guitarist, as well as a singer-songwriter...
- The Irish DescendantsThe Irish DescendantsThe Irish Descendants are a folk group from the Atlantic province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. All the members, born of Irish emitters, were workers in the Newfoundland fishing industry before forming the band in 1990 out of the remnants of two former Newfoundland bands – The Descendants...
- The PoguesThe PoguesThe Pogues are a Celtic punk band, formed in 1982 and fronted by Shane MacGowan. The band reached international prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s. MacGowan left the band in 1991 due to drinking problems but the band continued first with Joe Strummer and then with Spider Stacy on vocals before...
, as part of a medley on If I Should Fall from Grace with GodIf I Should Fall from Grace with GodIf I Should Fall from Grace with God was well-received by critics. Mark Deming of Allmusic awarded the album four and a half out of five stars, calling it "the best album the Pogues would ever make." Robert Christgau gave the album a B+ and said that "neither pop nor rock nor disco crossover stays...
and on its own - The Clancy BrothersThe Clancy BrothersThe Clancy Brothers were an influential Irish folk music singing group, most popular in the 1960s, they were famed for their woolly Aran jumpers and are widely credited with popularizing Irish traditional music in the United States. The brothers were Patrick "Paddy" Clancy, Tom Clancy, Bobby Clancy...
with Tommy MakemTommy MakemThomas "Tommy" Makem was an internationally celebrated Irish folk musician, artist, poet and storyteller. He was best known as a member of The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem. He played the long-necked 5-string banjo, guitar, tin whistle, and bagpipes, and sang in a distinctive baritone...
, in 1964. - The DublinersThe DublinersThe Dubliners are an Irish folk band founded in 1962.-Formation and history:The Dubliners, initially known as "The Ronnie Drew Ballad Group", formed in 1962 and made a name for themselves playing regularly in O'Donoghue's Pub in Dublin...
, in 1964. - Luke KellyLuke KellyLuke Kelly was an Irish singer and folk musician from Dublin, Ireland, notable as a founding member of the band The Dubliners.-Early life:...
, in 1973 - Ryan's FancyRyan's FancyRyan’s Fancy was a musical group active from the 1960s until the 1980s, all three of whose members were Irish immigrants to Canada.-Early years:...
, in 1973. - Paddy ReillyPaddy ReillyPatrick 'Paddy' Reilly is an Irish folk singer and guitarist. He is one of Ireland's most famous balladeers and is best known for his renditions of "The Fields of Athenry" and "The Town I Loved So Well"....
, in 1985. - Fiddler's GreenFiddler's Green (band)Fiddler’s Green is a German band from Erlangen that plays independent Irish speedfolk, formed in 1990. Their first concert under the name of Fiddler’s Green was at the Newcomer-Festival in Erlangen in November 1990, where the band came second...
, in 1992. - The Rolling StonesThe Rolling StonesThe Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
on The ChieftainsThe ChieftainsThe Chieftains are a Grammy-winning Irish musical group founded in 1962, best known for being one of the first bands to make Irish traditional music popular around the world.-Name:...
' 1995 album The Long Black VeilThe Long Black Veil (album)The Long Black Veil is an album by the traditional Irish folk band The Chieftains. Released in 1995, it is one of the most popular and best selling albums by the band. It reached number 17 in the album charts. The band teamed up with well-known musicians such as Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones...
. - Blood or WhiskeyBlood or WhiskeyBlood or Whiskey is an Irish punk/folk band from Leixlip, County Kildare, Republic of Ireland.The band was formed in September 1993 taking strong influence from Shane MacGowan, as well as The Pogues and The Clash...
, on their debut album in 1996. - ClandestineClandestine (band)Clandestine is a Celtic music group from Houston, Texas. Featuring bagpipes, guitar, fiddle, and drums , they play traditional Celtic music as well as some modern tunes in a Celtic style. Some songs include additional instruments like the flute, bombarde and various whistles...
, in 1996. - The Permanent CureThe Permanent CureThe Permanent Cure is an Irish folk band based in Germany. The songs commute between Irish folk, bluegrass, country and roots music.- History :The Permanent Cure was formed in 1976 on St. Stephen's Green in Dublin, Ireland...
, in 1996 - Gaelic StormGaelic StormGaelic Storm is a Celtic band. Their music includes traditional Irish music, Scottish music, and original tunes in both the Celtic and Celtic rock genres...
, in 1998. - Orthodox CeltsOrthodox CeltsOrthodox Celts is a Serbian band which plays Irish folk music combined with rock elements. Despite their unusual sound the band is one of the top acts of the Serbian rock scene and has influenced several younger bands, most notably Tir na n'Og and Irish Stew of Sindidun.The band started their...
, on Green RosesGreen RosesGreen Roses is the third studio album by the Serbian Irish folk/Celtic rock band Orthodox Celts released in 1999.- Tracklist :# "St. Patrick Was A Gentleman" - 02:19# "Sindidun" - 03:42# "Green Roses" Green Roses is the third studio album by the Serbian Irish folk/Celtic rock band Orthodox Celts...
(1999). - Belfast FoodBelfast FoodBelfast Food is a music band from Rijeka, Croatia, performing Irish folk and rock music under their current name since 1996.They have been featured on national charts at least once....
, on album Zašto zato in 2000 - Christy MooreChristy MooreChristopher Andrew "Christy" Moore is a popular Irish folk singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He is well known as one of the founding members of Planxty and Moving Hearts...
, in 2000. - Dropkick MurphysDropkick MurphysDropkick Murphys are an Irish-American punk rock band formed in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1996. The band was initially signed to independent punk record label Hellcat Records, releasing five albums for the label, and making a name for themselves locally through constant playing and yearly St....
, in 2001 and 2002. - Brobdingnagian BardsBrobdingnagian Bards-History:Marc Gunn, formerly of Austin Texas' alternative rock bands Skander and Breastfed, released a solo album featuring himself on autoharp and Andrew McKee on recorder in 1998...
, in 2002. - CruachanCruachan (band)Cruachan [kroo-a-khawn] is a Celtic metal band from Dublin, Ireland that has been active since the 1990s. They have been acclaimed as having "gone the greatest lengths of anyone in their attempts to expand" the genre of folk metal. They are recognised as one of the founders of the genre of folk metal...
, in 2002. - BlaggardsBlaggardsBlaggards are a four-piece Celtic rock band from Houston, Texas. The Houston Press described them as "Houston's only Celtic metal band" and "H-town's heir to the emerald throne of Phil Lynott and Shane MacGowan".- History :...
, in 2005. - BarleyjuiceBarleyjuiceBarleyjuice is a musical group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Formed originally in 1998, the group began as a side project for musicians Keith Swanson and Kyf Brewer, who met as bagpipers in the Loch Rannoch Pipes & Drums of Pineville, Pennsylvania. Barleyjuice's focus was to perform traditional...
, within the medley, Modern Pirates, on Six Yanks, in 2006. - Dublin City Workingman's Band on St Patrick's Day 2007, for Luxembourg TV channel RTL
- The Young Dubliners, on the 1994 album Rocky Road and With All Due Respect - The Irish SessionsWith All Due Respect - The Irish SessionsWith All Due Respect - The Irish Sessions is an album by American rock band Young Dubliners. The album was released on February 13, 2007. The album consists of renditions of traditional Irish folk songs and also features covers of songs by Irish bands The Dubliners and The Pogues.-Track...
, in 2007 - Damien DempseyDamien DempseyDamien Dempsey is an Irish singer and songwriter who mixes traditional Irish folk with contemporary lyrics to deliver social comment on the positive and negative aspects arising from Ireland's Celtic Tiger society.-Early life:...
, in 2008. - The High KingsThe High KingsThe High Kings are an Irish ballad group. They were formed on Carick on Suir by Fibarr Clancy and Martin Furey.Brian Dunphy , and Broadway/pop/country singer Darren Holden were later recruited having wowed the world with their own solo careers on broadway in musical reviews, such as Riverdance...
, in 2008. - The TossersThe TossersThe Tossers are a six-piece Celtic punk band from Chicago, Illinois. They formed in July 1993. They have toured with Murphy's Law, Streetlight Manifesto, Catch 22, Dropkick Murphys, The Reverend Horton Heat, Flogging Molly, Street Dogs, Clutch, Sick of it All & Mastodon. They opened for The Pogues...
, in 2008. - Culann's HoundsCulann's HoundsCulann's Hounds is a traditional Irish folk band from San Francisco. Founded in 1999 by Steve Gardner and Michael Kelleher as The Irish Bastards , the band began playing gigs and soon adopted the more broadly appealing name.-Origins:...
, on One for the Road in 2008 - Sherlock HolmesSherlock Holmes (2009 film)Sherlock Holmes is a 2009 action-mystery film based on the character of the same name created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The film was directed by Guy Ritchie and produced by Joel Silver, Lionel Wigram, Susan Downey and Dan Lin. The screenplay by Michael Robert Johnson, Anthony Peckham and Simon...
(Remastered Recording by The Dubliners) in 2009.
External links
- Lyrics (Manus O'Connor in 1901)
- http://www.orthodoxcelts.com Listen to the song (click Discography then Rocky Road - View)
- Dublin City Workingman's Band » Videos