Sheet Music: Green Grow the Rushes, O

TitleGreen Grow the Rushes, O
Alternate titlesGreen Grow the Rashes, Oh
The Twelve Prophets
The Carol of the Twelve Numbers
The Teaching Song
The Dilly Song
The Ten Commandments
ComposerTraditional English
InstrumentationFlute solo
KeyF major
RangeC4–E5
Time signature4/4
Tempo116 BPM
Performance time0:45
Difficulty leveleasy
Download printable scorePDF Sheet Music (48 kB) (preview)
Download audio tracksMIDI (change tempo/key) MP3 (364 kB)
Date added2016-12-17
Last updated2016-12-17
Download popularity index☆☆☆☆☆ 1.1 (average)
Categories
Christmas carols, Traditional/Folk

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Saturday 17 December 2016

Tune of the Day: Green Grow the Rushes, O

Traditional English Christmas carol

This English folk song is one of many “counting” Christmas carols, and in this aspect it is similar to the more famous “The Twelve Days of Christmas”. It is cumulative in structure, with each stanza built up from the previous one by adding a new verse.

I'll sing you one, O
Green grow the rushes, O
What is your one, O?
One is one and all alone
And evermore shall be so.

“Green Grow the Rushes, O” is the Regimental Song of the 3rd United States Cavalry, currently stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. The phrase “Green grow” is purported to be the origin of the slang term “Gringo”, resulting from the Regiment of Mounted Rifles having sung their song all over the populated areas of Mexico while campaigning there in 1847.

This song is not to be confused with Robert Burns's similarly titled “Green Grow the Rashes”, which is of Scottish origin!