Lyr Add: Along the Rocky Road to Dublin

Subject: Lyr Add: Along the Rocky Road to Dublin
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 11 Apr 04 - 12:43 PM

I've been having fun listening to old recordings at this website I recently discovered. Here's an obscure song you might enjoy. Doubtful lines are marked with a (?). Your corrections are welcome.

Transcribed from the sound file at The Virtual Gramophone.

ALONG THE ROCKY ROAD TO DUBLIN
Words, Joe Young (1889-1939). Music, Bert Grant (1878-1951).
(As recorded by the American Quartet, 1915.)

1. Said Pat McGee: Now listen to me. I've heard you fellows brag
About your new king over here, and the girls you love so dear.
They may be swell; that's all very well, with all their fancy clothes,
But I've a queen, a fair colleen, as sweet as any rose.
Oh, laddie, but go laddie, but think of my repose. (?)

CHORUS: Along the rocky road to Dublin, we were swingin' along, singin' a song.
With joy my heart was bubblin' with Bedelia by my side.
Sure, ev'ry time I looked in her roguish eyes of Irish blue,
I couldn't help but be very proud that I was Irish too.
Oh, my thoughts of dear old Dublin seem to carry me back to a rickety shack.
How I'd love to be there once again! (I want to be there.)
Just like before, sure, only to love Bedelia more,
Along the rocky road to Dublin.

2. The lakes and dells and old wishing wells we passed along the road
Among the shamrock-covered hills, how they filled our heart with thrills!
And all the while we sat on a stile we kissed and kissed and kissed.
For whispered … her husky hand was bigger than your fist. (?)
Oh, laddie, but go, laddie, but think of what you missed. (?) CHORUS

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Along the Rocky Road to Dublin
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 11 Apr 04 - 06:09 PM

No luck at 'hearing' the ? lines. Second verse line four - 'boys' is in there after 'whispered', but that is just part of it. Of course the singer used 'me' instead of 'my' but if you are like me, you automatically change that.

On the next page, I was happy to find a steel guitar instrumental (Beautiful Ohio) by the Hawaiians Ben Hokea and Al Nani. Ben Hokea stayed in Canada, based in Montreal, and never went back to Hawaii. He taught steel guitar for many years.

Subject: Lyr Add: ALONG THE ROCKY ROAD TO DUBLIN
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 15 Jul 13 - 12:50 AM

You can see the sheet music for this song at
Mississippi State University,
Baylor University,
The Maine Music Box, or
Indiana University.

You can also hear it at The Internet Archive; it is item #3 on the menu.


ALONG THE ROCKY ROAD TO DUBLIN
Words by Joe Young; music by Bert Grant; ©1915.

1. Said Pat McGee:
"Now, listen to me:
I've heard you fellows brag about your beauties over here,
And the girls you love so dear.
They may be swell—
That's all very well—
At wearing fancy clothes,
But I'd a queen,
A fair colleen,
As sweet as any rose.
Oh, laddy buck, oh, laddy buck, think of my repose!"

CHORUS: Along the rocky road to Dublin,
We were swinging along,
Singing a song.
With joy me heart was bubblin'.
With Cordelia by me side,
Sure every time I'd look in her roguish eyes of Irish blue,
I couldn't help but feel very proud that I was Irish, too.
All me thoughts of dear old Dublin seem to carry me back
To a rickety shack.
How I'd love to be there once again!
Just like before,
Sure, only to love Cordelia more,
Along the rocky road to Dublin.

2. The lakes and dells
And old wishing wells
We passed along the road among the shamrock-covered hills
Always filled our hearts with thrills.
And all the while
We sat on a stile,
We kissed and kissed and kissed.
For whisper, lad,
The heart she had
Was bigger than your fist.
Oh, laddy buck, oh, laddy buck, think of what you missed!

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Along the Rocky Road to Dublin
From: Mr Happy
Date: 16 Jul 13 - 03:00 AM

Bedelia or Cordelia? [or both?]