Thanks to everyone for the info. it just *seems* like the lyrics should include something like (hypothetical invented lines ONLY)

Three, three, the rivals O,/ And never happy all-O Four for the Gospel Makers,/ It's heavan where they be-O

etc.

A certain symatry would be added, where on the FIRST listing of a new number:

I'll sing you n-O Green grow the rushes-O What is your your n-O N for the (n'th bunch here),/and that is what they are-O n-1 n-2 n-3 n-4... One is one and all alone and evermore shall be-O

More commonm of the counting/memory songs