American Old Time Song Lyrics: 34 Wearing Out The Green

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 34

WEARING OUT THE GREEN.
Tune-"Wearing of the Green."
Written and Sung by Fred Rouse.

Oh! Judy dear, and did you hear the news that's going round?
There's not a blade must grow a blade of grass now in the ground;
On carrots, beets and turnips you must now be fed;
And if you want to grow a cabbage, why, you must grow it red.
Now, there's the little children, they must not raise their heads.
Or, in their infant fancy, speak of parsley beds;
And if you want to change their food, you must live on pork and beans;
For men and women are forbid by law to indulge in any greens.

Now, there's the priceless Emerald, of which you've often read;
It will be superseded by the pearl or ruby red;
And the rainbow in the sky must never more be seen;
For, you know, that glorious emblem it wears a stripe of green.
I met with neighbor Green, and took him by the band,
Says I: How's your potato patch, and does your cabin stand?
Mr. Green no more on paper written must be seen;
And you must change your name, old boy, or you'll be jolly Green.

Now, there's the glorious thistle that grows wild on the heath,
And the rose, you know, must cease to grow If it shows but one green leaf'
And the Welshman, with his leak, must never now be seen,
For there's a bloody law against everything that's green;
And young men from the country must not come out after dark,
Or be seen, in town or city, going out upon a lark;
And now I've done my song; at the bar I may be seen,
When, if I refuse to take a drink, you'll say I'm jolly Green.