DESCRIPTION:
Green Grow The Rushes, Ho (aka The Twelve Prophets, or The Carol Of The Twelve Numbers, or The Teaching Song, or The Dilly Song), is a folk song popular across the English speaking world. It is sometimes sung as a Christmas carol. The song is not to be confused with Robert Burns' Green Grow The Rashes, O', with which it shares only the title. It is cumulative in structure, with each verse built up from the previous verse by appending a new stanza.
The above information can be found in Wikipedia where there is also an in-depth analysis of the meaning of each verse. In verse 5 I use the term 'simples' where many versions use 'symbols'. The version I learned referred to 'simples' who were mummers who performed plays usually at Christmas time.
I just like it because it is a fun song and one much beloved of myself and of my pupils in the days I was a teacher.

Green Grow the Rushes Ho
Traditional
Capo at 7th fret so I am really playing and singing in the key of D

G D G
I’ll sing you one, Ho. Green grow the rushes, Ho
G
What is your one, Ho?
G C D7 G
One is one and all alone, and evermore shall be so.

G D G
I’ll sing you two, Ho. Green grow the rushes, Ho
G
What is your two, Ho?
G C Am D7
Two, two, the lily-white boys, all dressed up in green, Ho Ho
G C D7 G
One is one and all alone, and evermore shall be so.

G D G
I’ll sing you three, Ho. Green grow the rushes, Ho
G
What is your three, Ho?
G D C D7
Three, three, the ri-i-i-i-va-als,
G C Am D7
Two, two, the lily-white boys, all dressed up in green, Ho Ho
G C D7 G
One is one and all alone, and evermore shall be so.

Four for the Gospel makers,

Five for the simples at your door, (or symbols)

Six for the six proud walkers,

Seven for the seven stars in the sky,

Eight for the April Rainers.

Nine for the nine bright shiners,

Ten for the ten commandments,

Eleven for the eleven that went to heaven,

I'll sing you twelve, Ho
Green grow the rushes, Ho
What are your twelve, Ho?
Twelve for the twelve Apostles
Eleven for the eleven that went to heaven,
And ten for the Ten Commandments,
Nine for the nine bright shiners,
And eight for the April Rainers.
Seven for the seven stars in the sky,
And six for the six proud walkers,
Five for the simples at your door,
And four for the Gospel makers,
Three, three, the rivals,
Two, two, the lily-white boys,
All dressed up in green, Ho Ho
One is one and all alone, and evermore shall be so.



I have just produced an eBook containing 50 songs (first volume hopefully provided it sells) which can be seen and purchased by following this link:

http://store.blurb.com/ebooks/316519-50-songs-from-the-threelegsoman-collection