Altan is an Irish folk and traditional music group, which formed in Gweedor… Read Full Bio ↴Altan is an Irish folk and traditional music group, which formed in Gweedore, County Donegal in 1987. The popular outfit, who are led by the world-renowned fiddler and vocalist Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, have been driven by many critically acclaimed albums and a relentless touring schedule. They emerged during the 1990s as one of Ireland’s premiere traditional musical groups and have since sold millions of records worldwide.

Green Grow The Rushes
Altan Lyrics

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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

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

Green grow the rushes oh
Green grow the rushes oh
The sweetest hours that ever I spent
Are spent among the lassies 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

Green grow the rushes oh
Green grow the rushes oh
The sweetest hours that ever I spent
Are spent among 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

Overall Meaning

The song "Green Grow The Rushes" by Altan is a traditional Scottish folk song about the importance of love and companionship in life. The first stanza talks about how the troubles of life can be overwhelming, but the company of a woman makes it all worthwhile. The repetition of the phrase "green grow the rushes" throughout the song is a symbol of growth and renewal, and the connection between nature and love.

The second stanza of the song talks about how people may chase after riches and material things but can never truly enjoy them. The third stanza expresses a desire for simple pleasures with a loved one in the evening. The final stanza of the song is a reference to the biblical account of the creation of man and woman, with the idea being that women were nature's greatest creation.

Overall, the song celebrates the importance of love, companionship, and the natural world. It speaks to a yearning for simpler times and simpler pleasures.

Line by Line Meaning

There is nothing but worry everywhere
In every passing moment

What is the point of a man's life
If it were not for the ladies

The rushes grow green
The rushes grow green

The most enjoyable times I ever had
Are the times spent with the ladies

People may chase after wealth
And the wealth may still run away from them

And even if they finally catch it
They will never be happy

The rushes grow green
The rushes grow green

The most enjoyable times I ever had
Are the times spent with the ladies

Give me a peaceful hour in the evening
With my arms around my loved one

The wisest man that ever existed
He also loved the ladies very much

The rushes grow green
The rushes grow green

The most enjoyable times I ever had
Are the times spent with the ladies

Mother Nature declares
Her most magnificent creation

She tried her exceptional skills with man
Then she created the ladies

The rushes grow green
The rushes grow green

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RONNIE BARKER, RONNIE HAZLEHURST

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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