I've been interested in learning about the history of "Green Grow" and studying the comparison to the Hebrew Passover song "Ehad Mi Yodea" ("Who knows one?"), and the associations for each number. On Dec 21, 1999, T in Oklahoma (Okiemockbird), noted the parellel and stated some of the numbers of the Hebrew song. That part's easy for me (as that's my tradition). They go up to 13:

One is our God who is in heaven and earth; Two are the tables of the Law Three are the Fathers [Abraham, Isaac, Jacob] Four are the Mothers [Sarah, Rebekah, Leah, Rachel] Five are the 5 [books] of the Torah [Pentateuch]; Six are the orders [tractaces-- main subdivisions] of the Mishnah [the early part of the Talmud]; Seven are the days of the week Eight are the days [from birth to the covenental ceremony of] circumcision; Nine are the [lunar] months of childbirth; Ten are the Ten Commandments Eleven are the stars [meaning Joseph's dream that the stars -- his brothers-- would bow down to him. I.e., same as 12 tribes or sons, minus one-- creative!]; Twelve are the sons of Jacob [who became the 12 tribes]; Thirteen are the attributes [you'll find Moses being told of 13 qualities that God has, in Exodus chap. 34, 6-7. This list has entered Jewish liturgy in many places]. Look above for words and some thoughts on Green Grows, as well as comment by _gargoyle on 23-Dec-99 - 04:12 AM (above) about possible relationship between two. If anyone has more info on the origins of text of Green Grows, I'm interested.