From: gunnora@ephsa.sat.tx.us (Christie Ward)
Subject: Green Grow The Rushes O
Date: 10 Jul 94 10:27:41 GMT

"Green Grow the Rushes O" has multiple versions due to the folk process.  
The way I've heard it sung is:
        12 for the twelve apostles
        11 forr the 'leven who went to heaven
        10 for the ten commandments
        9 for the nine Bright Shiners (the planets)
        8 for the eight bold raiders (??)
        7 for the seven stars in the sky (the Pleiades?)
        6 for the six Proud Walkers
        5 for the symbols at your door
        4 for the Gospel-Makers (matthew, Mark, Luke, John)
        3, Three, the Rivals
        2, Two, the Lily-White boys, clothed all in green-o
        1 is one and all alone and evermore shall be so.

The Rivals would be the Goddess and her Summer and Winter Kings in
the eternal triangle, two would be the Kings again, one the Goddess
from whom all sprang.  Christian symbology versions also exist where 
all pagan elements are weeded out (one is God and all alone..., Two
interpreted as Jesus & John the Baptist, Three, three the Holy 
Trinity, Six as the waiters who served the wine Jesus made from water,
etc.)

There is an excellent comprehensive work on the versions of this song
and all the associated imagry, both Christian & Pagan:

        Stewart, Bob. _Pagan Imagery in English Folksong._ Atlantic 
        Highlands, NJ: Humanities Press. 1977. ISBN 0-391-00765-3.

Other songs discussed include "The Cutty Wren", "The Two Brothers", 
"Edward", "The TWo Magicians", "Bruton Town", "The Three Butchers."
Simple scores are given for the principal songs discussed, words are
given in an appendix for songs the author discusses to illuminate points
he's making.

Also included is a discography, including:

        Charlie Bate & the Obby Oss Party on "Folksound of Britain"
        "Songs of Ceremony" (Topic 12t197)
        The Watersons on "Frost & Fire" (Topic 12T136)
        Bob Stewart on "The Wraggle Taggle Gypsies O" (Crescent ARS 105)
        A.L. Lloyd (all albums on the Topic label)
        Ewan MacColl & Peggy Seeger (all albums on Topic label)
        Anne Briggs (also on Topic label)
        Childe Ballads (Topic 12T160/1)

Happy listening!

---Gunnora Hallakarva

gunnora@ephsa.sat.tx.us (Christie Ward)              
Rivercity Matrix  --  +1 (210) 561-9815/21  --  San Antonio, Texas