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3 November 2014
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Story behind the Song

Eddi Reader - Green Grow the Rashes O



Singer Eddi Reader is a big fan of the poet Robert Burns. She finds his poetry makes interesting lyrics. One of the favourites is Green Grow the Rashes O.

Lyrics



Green grow the rashes, O'
Green grow the rashes, O'
The sweetest hours that e'er I spent
Were spent among the lassies, O'



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.



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



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



For you sae douse, ye sneer at this,
Ye're nought but senseless asses, O:
The wisest Man the warl' saw,
He dearly lov'd 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.

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Dougie MacLean
Julie Fowlis
Anne Lorne Gillies
Findlay MacDonald
Eddi Reader
John Carmichael



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