There's naught but care on every hand
In every hour that passes O
What signifies the life of man
If it were not for the lassies O

Green grow the rushes O
Green grow the rushes O
The sweetest hours that e'er I spent
Are spent among the lassies O

The worldly race may riches chase
And riches still may fly them O
And though at last they catch them fast
Their hearts can ne'er enjoy them O

Green grow the rushes O
Green grow the rushes O
The sweetest hours that e'er I spent
Are spent among the lassies O

Give me a cannie hour at e'en
My arms around my dearie O
The wisest man the world e'er saw
He dearly loved the lassies O

Green grow the rushes O
Green grow the rushes O
The sweetest hours that e'er I spent
Are spent among the lassies O

Old nature swears the lovely dears
Her noblest work she classes O
Her apprentice hand she tried on man
Then she made the lassies O

Green grow the rushes O
Green grow the rushes O
The sweetest hours that e'er I spent
Are spent among the lassies O

Green grow the rushes
Green grow the rushes