Green Grow The Rashes – Scots Song Lyrics

Green Grow The Rashes by Robert Burns is one of the songs I thought you might enjoy during Scot, Scots-Irish Heritage Month. It’s one of my all-time favorite songs. It reminds me that money and things are not as important as people and special moments spent together.

Below you will find the lyrics and can listen to the song. Please read the lyrics before playing. May not be suitable for children.

Click to listen Green Grow The Rashes – Brobdingnagian Bards

Green Grow the Rashes Lyrics
Written by Robert Burns
Performed by the Brobdingnagian Bards (Marc Gunn-Vocals)

There’s nought but care on ev’ry han’,
In ev’ry hour that passes, O;
What signifies the life o’ man,
An’ ’twere na for the lasses, O.

Chorus:
Green grow the rashes, O;
Green grow the rashes, O;
The sweetest hours that e’er I spend,
Are spent amang the lasses, O.

The warly race may riches chase,
An’ riches may still fly them, O;
An’ tho’ at last they catch them fast,
Their hearts can ne’er enjoy them, O.

Chorus:
Green grow the rashes, O;
Green grow the rashes, O;
The sweetest hours that e’er I spend,
Are spent amang the lasses, O.

But gie me a cannie hour at e’en,
My arms about my Dearie, O;
An’ warly cares an’ warly men,
May a’ gae tapsalteerie, O!

Chorus:
Green grow the rashes, O;
Green grow the rashes, O;
The sweetest hours that e’er I spend,
Are spent amang the lasses, O.

For you sae douse, ye sneer at this,
Ye’re nought but senseless asses, O;
The wisest Man the warl’ e’er saw,
He dearly lov’d the lasses, O.

Chorus:
Green grow the rashes, O;
Green grow the rashes, O;
The sweetest hours that e’er I spend,
Are spent amang the lasses, O.

Auld Nature swears, the lovely Dears
Her noblest work she classes, O;
Her prentice han’ she try’d on man,
An’ then she made the lasses, O.

Chorus:
Green grow the rashes, O;
Green grow the rashes, O;
The sweetest hours that e’er I spend,
Are spent amang the lasses, O.

Scots translations:
rashes: rushes
warly: worldly
gie: give
canny: quiet
e’en: in this case, evening
gae: become, get, go
tapsalteerie: topsy-turvy
douce: cynical or grave

Your Turn

What is your family connection or interest in this song? What parts can you identify with?