Description
Arrangement of the old folk song “Green grow the rushes oh”. The arrangement doesn’t go through all 12 vereses in detail but interrupts itself halfway through, as if with the phrase “Let’s not make them listen to the lot!”, followed by a rush to the end.
The words of the original begin:
1. I’ll sing you one, O
Green grow the rushes, O
What is your one, O?
One is one, and all alone,
And ever more shall be so.
2. I’ll sing you two, O
Green grow the rushes, O
What are your two, O?
Two, two the lily-white boys
Clothed all in green, O
One is one, and all alone,
And ever more shall be so.
3. I’ll sing you three, O
Green grow the rushes, O
What are your three, O?
Three, three the rivals!
Two, two lily-white boys
Clothed all in green, O
One is one, and all alone,
And ever more shall be so.
4. I’ll sing you four, O
Green grow the rushes, O
What are your four, O?
Four for the gospel-makers,
Three, three arrivals!
Two, two lily-white boys
Clothed all in green, O
One is one, and all alone,
And ever more shall be so.
5. I’ll sing you five, O
Green grow the rushes, O
What are your five, O?
Five for the symbols at your door, and
Four for the gospel-makers,
Three, three the rivals!
Two, two lily-white boys
Clothed all in green, O
One is one, and all alone,
And ever more shall be so.
6. I’ll sing you six, O
Green grow the rushes, O
What are your six, O?
Six for the six proud walkers,
Five for the symbols at your door, and
Four for the gospel-makers,
Three, three the rivals!
Two, two lily-white boys
Clothed all in green, O
One is one, and all alone,
And ever more shall be so.
(etc)