Green Grow the Lilacs

Green Grow the Lilacs

:"This article is about the folk song. For the stage play see "Green Grow the Lilacs".Green Grow the Lilacs is a folk song of Irish origin that was popular in the United States during the mid-1800s.

The song title is familiar as the source of an extremely dubious popular etymology for the word gringo, supposedly being a Hispanicization of "green grow," which Mexicans certainly could have heard U.S. troops singing during the Mexican-American War. [See gringo for a derivation from "griego", which dictionaries suggest is more likely).]

The song appears in the 1931 play of the same name by Lynn Riggs. "Green Grow the Lilacs" became the basis of the libretto for the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "Oklahoma!".

The song appears in an LP album by Tony Kraber. [ "The Old Chisholm Trail", Songs of the American Southwest, by Tony Kraber, Mercury Records LP MG 20008]

Versions

There are many different versions of the lyrics. However, one version of the lyrics opens:quotation
: Green grow the lilacs, all sparkling with dew: I'm lonely, my darling, since parting with you;: But by our next meeting I'll hope to prove true: And change the green lilacs to the Red, White and Blue.

: I once had a sweetheart, but now I have none: She's gone and she's left me, I care not for one: Since she's gone and left me, contented I'll be,: For she loves another one better than me. [ [http://www.contemplator.com/america/lilacs.html "Green Grow the Lilacs Lyrics and midi file"] , Barry Taylor, [http://www.contemplator.com/ Contemplations from the Marianas Trench Music and Deep Thoughts] website] [ [http://www.ireland-information.com/irishmusic/greengrowthelilacs.shtml "Green Grow the Lilacs Irish Song Lyrics and Music Midi"] , [http://www.ireland-information.com/ The Information about Ireland Site] , 2005]

The glossary at the back of the play suggests that "changing the green lilacs to the Red, White and Blue" means "I am going to join the army". [http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&id=G5b2jTZhwQcC&dq=green+grow+the+lilacs+&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=xZfKXi6sCC&sig=qf4AJ6F7VM0ml2quSLGLgUc19Ac&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=5&ct=result#PPP1,M1 "Green Grow The Lilacs: A Play"] , Lynn Riggs, Samuel French Inc., 1931 ISBN 0573609624.]

Notes

External links

* [http://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=11308 "Green Grow The Lilacs"] production credits, Internet Broadway Database


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