This song is an old English counting song, in the manner of "The Twelve
Days of Christmas," although it has a different tune. The first verse includes
a line for the number one; the second verse includes the line for two and
then the line for one; and so on.
I'll sing you one, oh;
Green grow the rushes, oh!
What is your one, oh?
One is one and all alone and ever more shall be so.
Green grow the rushes, oh!
I'll sing you one, oh;
Green grow the rushes, oh!
What is your two, oh?
Two, two, the lily-white boys, dressed all in green, oh.
One is one and all alone and ever more shall be so.
Green grow the rushes, oh!
I'll sing you one, oh;
Green grow the rushes, oh!
What is your three, oh?
Three, three, the rivals.
Two, two, the lily-white boys, dressed all in green, oh.
One is one and all alone and ever more shall be so.
Green grow the rushes, oh!
I'll sing you one, oh;
Green grow the rushes, oh!
What is your four, oh?
Four for the Gospel makers.
Three, three, the rivals.
Two, two, the lily-white boys, dressed all in green, oh.
One is one and all alone and ever more shall be so.
Green grow the rushes, oh!
I'll sing you one, oh;
Green grow the rushes, oh!
What is your five, oh?
Five for the symbols at your door.
Four for the Gospel makers.
Three, three, the rivals.
Two, two, the lily-white boys, dressed all in green, oh.
One is one and all alone and ever more shall be so.
Green grow the rushes, oh!
I'll sing you one, oh;
Green grow the rushes, oh!
What is your six, oh?
Six for the six proud walkers.
Five for the symbols at your door.
Four for the Gospel makers.
Three, three, the rivals.
Two, two, the lily-white boys, dressed all in green, oh.
One is one and all alone and ever more shall be so.
Green grow the rushes, oh!
I'll sing you one, oh;
Green grow the rushes, oh!
What is your seven, oh?
Seven for the seven stars in the sky.
Six for the six proud walkers.
Five for the symbols at your door.
Four for the Gospel makers.
Three, three, the rivals.
Two, two, the lily-white boys, dressed all in green, oh.
One is one and all alone and ever more shall be so.
Green grow the rushes, oh!
I'll sing you one, oh;
Green grow the rushes, oh!
What is your eight, oh?
Eight for the April rainers.
Seven for the seven stars in the sky.
Six for the six proud walkers.
Five for the symbols at your door.
Four for the Gospel makers.
Three, three, the rivals.
Two, two, the lily-white boys, dressed all in green, oh.
One is one and all alone and ever more shall be so.
Green grow the rushes, oh!
I'll sing you one, oh;
Green grow the rushes, oh!
What is your nine, oh?
Nine for the nine bright shiners.
Eight for the April rainers.
Seven for the seven stars in the sky.
Six for the six proud walkers.
Five for the symbols at your door.
Four for the Gospel makers.
Three, three, the rivals.
Two, two, the lily-white boys, dressed all in green, oh.
One is one and all alone and ever more shall be so.
Green grow the rushes, oh!
I'll sing you one, oh;
Green grow the rushes, oh!
What is your ten, oh?
Ten for the Ten Commandments.
Nine for the nine bright shiners.
Eight for the April rainers.
Seven for the seven stars in the sky.
Six for the six proud walkers.
Five for the symbols at your door.
Four for the Gospel makers.
Three, three, the rivals.
Two, two, the lily-white boys, dressed all in green, oh.
One is one and all alone and ever more shall be so.
Green grow the rushes, oh!
I'll sing you one, oh;
Green grow the rushes, oh!
What is your eleven, oh?
Eleven for eleven who went to Heaven.
Ten for the Ten Commandments.
Nine for the nine bright shiners.
Eight for the April rainers.
Seven for the seven stars in the sky.
Six for the six proud walkers.
Five for the symbols at your door.
Four for the Gospel makers.
Three, three, the rivals.
Two, two, the lily-white boys, dressed all in green, oh.
One is one and all alone and ever more shall be so.
Green grow the rushes, oh!
I'll sing you one, oh;
Green grow the rushes, oh!
What is your twelve, oh?
Twelve for the twelve Apostles.
Eleven for eleven who went to Heaven.
Ten for the Ten Commandments.
Nine for the nine bright shiners.
Eight for the April rainers.
Seven for the seven stars in the sky.
Six for the six proud walkers.
Five for the symbols at your door.
Four for the Gospel makers.
Three, three, the rivals.
Two, two, the lily-white boys, dressed all in green, oh.
One is one and all alone and ever more shall be so.
Green grow the rushes, oh!
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Last Updated: 01/15/2007