I will sing you 12-o,
Green grow the rushes o,
What is your 12-o ?
12 are the 12 Apostles
11 are the 11 who went to heaven
10 are the 10 Commandments,
9 are the 9 bright shiners
8 are the April rainers,
7 are the 7 stars in the sky,
6 are the 6 proud walkers,
5 for the symbols at your door &
4 for the Gospel makers,
3 three, the rivals
2 two, the lily white boys
clothed all in green-o
and 1 is 1 and all alone and ever more shall be so


is the version that I used to sing as a kid.