There's naught but care on every hand In every hour that passes oh What signifies the life of man If it were not for the lassies oh Chorus (after each verse): Green grow the rushes oh Green grow the rushes oh The sweetest hours that ever I spent Are spent among the lassies oh The worldly race may riches chase And riches still may fly them oh And though at last they catch them fast Their hearts can ne'er enjoy them oh Give me a cannie hour at e'en My arms around my dearie oh The wisest man the world e'er saw He dearly loved the lassies oh Old nature swears the lovely dears Her noblest work she classes oh Her apprentice hand she tried on man Then she made the lassies oh Green grow the rushes Green grow the rushes