hegardt@pompe.ics.uci.edu (Mary Hegardt) (06/03/91)
I apologize if this isn't the right forum for this request, but I have been wondering about this song and I thought you people might be able to help me. Can anyone tell me *anything* about this song? We used to sing it in Vacation Bible School and it I guess we did discuss the allusions/symbolism in the lyrics, but I must not have been paying attention because I can't remember. I figured out the obvious ones (Gospel makers, etc.) but what are the "symbols at your door"? Something to do with Passover? Who are the "lily white boys"? Where does this song come from? Are there any experts in semiotics out there? I'll sing you one-o Green grow the rushes-o What is your one-o? One is one and all alone and ever more shall be so I'll sing you two-o Green grow the rushes-o What is your two-o Two, two the lily white boys, clothed all in green-o One is one and all alone and ever more shall be so (Subsequent verses are) 3,3 the rivals 4 for Gospel makers 5 for the symbols at your door 6 for the six proud walkers 7 for the 7 stars in the sky 8 for the April rainers 9 for the 9 bright shiners 10 for the 10 Commandments 11 for the 11 went up to heaven 12 for the 12 Apostles Thanks for any help you can offer!
tblake@bingsuns.cc.binghamton.edu (Tom Blake) (06/04/91)
In article <Jun.3.02.00.52.1991.2978@athos.rutgers.edu>, hegardt@pompe.ics.uci.edu (Mary Hegardt) writes: |>I apologize if this isn't the right forum for this request, but I |>have been wondering about this song and I thought you people might |>be able to help me. I'll be going and doing a couple of weeks doing summer camp for vacation in July. I'll probably be singing this song, (one of my favorites). The camp in order to be PC, has changed the second verse, (I forget what their new version is, I know they eliminate lilly white, they may eliminate boys.) A clergy friend once saw a long explanation of all of the verses, I'll see if I can get her to dig it out. But, here's some of the ones I remember. 1, is one and all alone, and ever more shall be it so Well, okay, that one's pretty easy. 2, 2 lilly white boys, clothe them all in green-o This as I recall refers to two saints, (Peter and Paul?) Lilly white, to show that they are pure, clothed in green to show that they still live. |> 3,3 the rivals Don't remember, seems like 3 would be a good lead in for the trinity, but to call them rivals!? (Guess not) |> 4 for Gospel makers Obvious enough. |> 5 for the symbols at your door Don't remember, (I always thought it was cymbols, seemed like fun), perhaps it refers to the marks on the doors made by the Hebrews? |> 6 for the six proud walkers Moving things in the night sky. (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter Saturn, the Moon?) |> 7 for the 7 stars in the sky Don't recall, seven bright stars I believe. |> 8 for the April rainers A constellation of 8 stars that comes above the horizon in April, April of course brings showers, (so the april rainers). |> 9 for the 9 bright shiners Similar night sky derivation as I recall. |> 10 for the 10 Commandments Obvious |> 11 for the 11 went up to heaven The twelve (minus Judas). |> 12 for the 12 Apostles Obvious Tom Blake SUNY-Binghamton
tblake@bingsuns.cc.binghamton.edu (Tom Blake) (06/10/91)
[More about that crazy song. Presumably by now you know which one...--clh] Well, after my posting, I wound up at a meeting with my pastor, and another old Boy Scout. (That's where I learned the song.) Nancy, was going to dig around at home for her old junior choir book, which she said had the info. However, we have a couple of clarifications, (deviations). |> 2, 2 lilly white boys, clothe them all in green-o |>This as I recall refers to two saints, (Peter and Paul?) Lilly white, to show |>that they are pure, clothed in green to show that they still live. Nancy recalled the two boys as being Cain and Abel. (If so, then I guess the elimination of "lilly white" *is* in order.) |>|> 7 for the 7 stars in the sky |>Don't recall, seven bright stars I believe. The Pleiades (sp?) according to Ed. (Never could spell that one!) Tom Blake SUNY-Binghamton