Traditional & Folk Songs with lyrics & midi music www.traditionalmusic.co.uk 
Green Grow the Lilacs 
Green Grow the Lilacs 
cho: Green grow the lilacs, all sparkling with dew 
I'm lonely, my darling, since parting with you; 
But by our next meeting IU'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. 
cho: 
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. 
cho: 
I wrote my love letters in rosy red lines, She sent me an answer all twisted and twined; Saying,"Keep your love letters and I will keep mine Just you write to your love and I'll write to mine." 
Note: After Wildwood Flower, this may be the most universally folk-processed song ever. Every version I've seen has at least one alternate locution; I decided that it wasn't worth listing all the variants I've encountered. Lilacs, or Laurels; Red White and Blue or Orange and Blue; "sparkling with dew" or "all wet with the dew" or "and so does the rue" ;"twisted and twined" or "twisted with twine" --- etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. Nobody's quite sure what the words mean (in detail, that is), and probably a lot of the singers mumbled a good deal; in any case, don't worry too much and enjoy. It's a great tune. Oh yes, the story about this being the basis for the Mexican epithet of "gringo" is most likely pure fakelore. RG 
Recorded by the Mitchell Trio, Tony Kraber