Green Grow The Rushes chords
by Celtic WomanSong Key: F Major → G Major
Time Signature: 4/4
Tempo: 100 bpm
Standard Guitar Tuning: E A D G B e
Skill Level: Beginner 🟢
Guitar Chords: F, Gm, Bb, C → G, Am, C, D, A
Play-Along Video & Chord Charts
Play-Along Video
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Green Grow The Rushes
Song Key is highlighted - Transpose to any other key F
Intro: 4/4 | | % |
F
1. There's naught but care on ev'-ry han'
Gm
In ev'-ry hour that pas-ses O
Bb F
What sig-ni-fies the life of man
Gm F Bb
If it were not for the las-ses O
F
Chorus: Green grow the rush-es O
Gm
Green grow the rush-es O
Bb F
The sweet-est hours that e'er are spent
Gm F Bb
Are spent a-mong the las-ses O | % |
F
2. The world-ly race may rich-es chase
Gm
And rich-es still may fly them, O
Bb F
And though at last they catch them fast
Gm F Bb
Their hearts can ne'er en-joy them, O
F
Chorus: Green grow the rush-es O
Gm
Green grow the rush-es O
Bb F
The sweet-est hours that e'er are spent
Gm F Bb C
Are spent a-mong the las-ses O | (Key Change) |
D A
Instr: | | % | | % |
C G
** The sweet-est hours that e'er I spent
C G C
Are spent a-mong the las-ses, O
G
Chorus: Green grow the rush-es O
Am
Green grow the rush-es O
C G
The sweet-est hours that e'er are spent
Am G C
Are spent a-mong the las-ses O | % |
G
3. Old na-ture swears the love-ly dears
Am
Her nob-lest work she clas-ses, O
C G
Her ap-pren-tice hand she tried on man
Am G C
And then she made the las-ses, O... | % |
G
Chorus: Green grow the rush-es O
Am
Green grow the rush-es O
C G
The sweet-est hours that e'er are spent
Am G C
Are spent a-mong the las-ses O
G
Chorus: Green grow the rush-es O
Am
Green grow the rush-es O
C G
The sweet-est hours that e'er are spent
Am G C
Are spent a-mong the las-ses O | % |
Am G C G
Are spent a-mong the las-ses, O...| 𝄑 |
Arrangement Details:
- Song Keys: F Major → G Major
- Key Signature: F Major - 1 flats (Bb)
- Key Signature: G Major - 1 sharp (F#)
- Time Signature: 4/4 — Four quarter-note beats per measure
- Tempo: Moderately
- Metronome: ♩ = 100
- Voice Range: G3 - Bb4
- Beginner Guitarists:
You'll find open chord voicings for Bb and Gm in the charts above. The Gm can be played using a small barre with the first finger, or plyed like an 'A' chord using 3 fingers.
The easiest key for beginners is C Major → D Major with chords: C, Dm, F, G → D, Em, G, A - capo on the 5th fret if playing along with the video.
Song Details:

- Songwriter: Robert Burns - Scottish poet and lyricist (1759 – 1796). The song by Burns is actually titled, Green Grow the Rashes, O'
- Published: 1787 - The Scots Musical Museum
- Lyrics Begin: There's naught but care on ev'ry han' In ev'ry hour that passes, O'
- Featured Artists: Celtic Woman
- Genre: Scottish folk song
- Album: Believe
Recorded: 2010–2011
Released: 25 May 2011 (Japan), 24 January 2012 (worldwide), 27 April 2012 (Australia)
