There were three farmers in the north
As they were passing by
They swore an oath a mighty oath that Barleycorn should die
One of them said drown him
And the other said hang him high
For whoever will stick to Barleygrain a-begging that he will die

They put poor Barley into a sack
On a cold and rainy day
And brought him up to cumfield
And buried him in the clay
Frost and snow began to melt
And the dew began to fall
Then Barleygrain put up his head
And he soon surprised them all

The thresher came with his big flail
And soon he broke my bones
Could grieve the heart of any man to hear my sighs and moans
The next thing that they′ve done to me
They steeped me in the well
And they left me there for a day and a night
Until I began to swell

And the next thing that they've done to me
They dried me in the kiln
They used me ten times worse than that
They ground me in the mill
They used me in the kitchen
They used me in the hall oh
They used me in the parlour among the ladies′ all
/

Well, in the merry month of May now from me home I started
Left the girls of Tuam nearly broken hearted
Saluted father dear, kissed me darling mother
Drank a pint of beer, me grief and tears to smother
Then off to reap the corn and leave where I was born
Cut a stout blackthorn to banish ghosts and goblins
A brand new pair of brogues to rattle over the bogs
And frighten all the dogs on the rocky road to Dublin

One, two, three four, five
Hunt the Hare and turn her down the rocky road
And all the ways to Dublin, whack follol de dah

In Mullingar that night I rested limbs so weary
Started by daylight next morning light and early
Took a drop of the pure to keep me heart from shrinkin'
Thats the Paddy's cure whene'er he's on for drinkin'
To hear the lassies smile, laughin' all the while
At me curious style, 'twould set your heart a bubblin'
They asked me was I hired and wages I required
Till I was almost tired of the rocky road to Dublin

One, two, three four, five
Hunt the Hare and turn her down the rocky road
And all the ways to Dublin, whack follol de dah
In Dublin next arrived, I thought it such a pity
To be so soon deprived a view of that fine city
Then I took a stroll, all among the quality
Bundle it was stole, well in a neat locality
Something crossed me mind, when I looked behind
No bundle could I find upon me stick a wobblin'
Enquiring after the rogue, said me Connacht brogue
It wasn't much in vogue on the rocky road to Dublin

One, two, three four, five
Hunt the Hare and turn her down the rocky road
And all the ways to Dublin, whack follol de dah

From there I got away, me spirits never failing
Landed on the quay, just as the ship was sailing
Captain at me roared, said that no room had he
When I jumped aboard, a cabin found for Paddy
Down among the pigs, did some hearty rigs
I played some hearty jigs, the water round me bubbling
When off Holyhead I wished meself was dead
Or better far instead on the rocky road to Dublin

One, two, three four, five
Hunt the Hare and turn her down the rocky road
And all the ways to Dublin, whack follol de dah