GREEN GROW THE LILACS
(Traditional - Mid 19th Century - 
Based on the 17th Century Scottish song "Green Grow The Laurels")

Franchot Tone (feat. in the Broadway play "Green Grow The Liliacs") - 1931
Tony Kraber - 1941
Tex Ritter & His Texans - 1945
Bob Eberly with Les Baxter's Orch. & Chorus - 1951
Ed McCurdy - 1956
The Roger Wagner Chorale - 1956
Rex Allen - 1957
Gordon MacRae - 1957
Harry Belafonte - 1959
Bing Crosby & Rosemary Clooney - 1959
The Merrill Staton Choir - 1959
Dick Curless - 1960
Terry Gilkyson & The Easy Riders - 1960
Chad Mitchell Trio - 1963
Johnny Cash - 1965
Virginia Lee - 1966
Judy Page & Peter Lotis - 1966
Johnny McEvoy - 1967
The Blue Sky Boys - 1976
Burl Ives - 1978

Also recorded by: Maddox Bros. & Rose; Tom Roush; Jimmie Dodd.



I once had a sweetheart, but now I have none
Since she's gone and left me, I care not for one
Since she's gone and left me, contended I'll be
For she loves another one better than me

Green grow the lilacs, all sparkling with dew
I'm lonely, my darling, since parting with you
But by our next meeting I hope to prove true
And change the green lilacs to the Red, White and Blue

I passed my love's window, both early and late
The look that she gave me, it makes my heart ache
Oh, the look that she gave me was painful to see
For she loves another one better than me

Green grow the lilacs, all sparkling with dew
I'm lonely, my darling, since parting with you
But by our next meeting I hope to prove true
And change the green lilacs to the Red, White and Blue

I wrote my love letters in rosy red lines
She sent me an answer all twisted in twine
Sayin' keep your love letters and I will keep mine
You write to your love and I'll write to mine

Green grow the lilacs, all sparkling with dew
I'm lonely, my darling, since parting with you
But by our next meeting I hope to prove true
And change the green lilacs to the Red, White and Blue


********************


ALTERNATE CHORUSES:

Green grow the lilacs reminding me of
The ones that I brought you with all of my love
The gates of my country will open for you
And change the green lilacs to the Red, White and Blue	 
 	 		 
Green grow the lilacs, your favorite flower
So sweetly perfuming a sad parting hour
Oh, send me a message that you love me too
Let's change the green lilacs to the Red, White and Blue


(Transcribed by Mel Priddle - December 2017)