The Rocky Road To Dublin by The High Kings — ESL Song Worksheet | English Plans

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THE ROCKY ROAD TO DUBLIN

~ The High Kings · 2008 ~

Listen carefully and fill in the missing words.

    Verse 1
In the merry month of June from me home I (1)
Left the girls of Tuam nearly (2) hearted
Saluted Father dear, kissed me darling mother
Drank a pint of beer, me grief and tears to (3)
Then off to reap the corn, leave where I was born
Cut a stout blackthorn to banish ghosts and goblins
A brand new pair of (4), rattlin' o'er the bogs
Frightenin' all the dogs on the rocky road to Dublin

Chorus
One two three four five
Hunt the Hare and turn her down the rocky road
And all the way to Dublin, Whack fol lol le rah!

Verse 2
In Mullingar that night I rested limbs so (5)
Started by daylight me spirits bright and airy
Took a drop of the (6)
Keep me heart from sinking
That's the Paddy's cure whenever he's on drinking
To see the lassies smile, laughing all the while
At me curious style, 'twould set your heart a bubblin'
An' asked if I was (7), wages I required
'Till I was nearly tired of the rocky road to Dublin

[Chorus]

Verse 3
In Dublin next (8), I thought it such a pity
To be soon deprived a view of that fine city
Well then I took a stroll, all among the quality
Bundle it was (9), all in a neat locality
Something crossed me mind, when I looked behind
No (10) could I find upon me stick a wobblin'
Enquiring for the rogue, said me Connaught brogue
Wasn't much in vogue on the rocky road to Dublin

[Chorus]

Verse 4
From there I got away, me spirits never falling
Landed on the quay, just as the ship was sailing
The Captain at me (11), said that no room had he
When I jumped aboard, a (12) found for Paddy
Down among the pigs, played some funny rigs
Danced some hearty jigs, the water round me bubbling
When off Holyhead wished meself was dead
Or better far instead
On the rocky road to Dublin

[Chorus]

Verse 5
The boys of Liverpool, when we safely (13)
Called meself a fool, I could no longer stand it
Blood began to boil, temper I was losing
Poor old Erin's isle they began abusing
"Hurrah me soul!" says I, me shillelagh I let (14)
Some Galway boys were nigh and saw I was a hobble in
With a loud "Hurray!" joined in the affray
We quickly cleared the way for the rocky road to Dublin

[Final Chorus]
Hunt the Hare and turn her down the rocky road
And all the way to Dublin, Whack fol lol le rah!
Whack fol lol le rah!
Whack fol lol le rah!
  

The Rocky Road To Dublin

The High Kings · 2008

ClassPlan.ai

Song Worksheets

Word Family Tree

Complete the word family for each root word. Fill in the missing forms (noun, verb, adjective, adverb).

1. weary
noun: verb: adj:

2. abuse
noun: verb: adj:

3. curious
noun: verb: adj:

4. require
noun: verb: adj:

Finish the Lyric

Complete these lines from the song in your own creative way. Keep the rhythm and rhyme scheme.

1. In the merry month of May from me home I...

2. The lassies in the town were all so...

3. When I reached the port, me heart was...

4. With me stick in hand I felt so...

Did you know?

Read these facts about the song. Which one surprises you most?

🎵The Rocky Road to Dublin is a traditional Irish folk song written in the 1800s about emigration from Ireland to England seeking work.
⭐A shillelagh is a traditional Irish walking stick or club made from blackthorn wood, often used for self-defense.
🎸Tuam is a real town in County Galway, Ireland, known for its cathedral and historic significance.
📀Brogues in this song refers to heavy leather shoes, not the Irish accent which shares the same name.
🎤The High Kings formed in 2008 and are known for modernizing traditional Irish folk songs with contemporary arrangements.

Discussion & analysis

Discuss each question with your partner.

1What challenges do people face when leaving home to find work in another country?
2How does the narrator maintain his Irish identity during his journey and conflicts?

3Have you ever had to defend your homeland or culture when traveling abroad?
4Why do folk songs about emigration remain popular across generations and cultures?

🥁 Play It! — Tap the Beat

A student taps the rhythm of a song on the desk — or hums the melody. No words. Class tries to identify the song. First correct guess wins a point for their team.