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