The name of the song is a reference to the Christian folk-song “Green Grow the Rushes, O”.
Natalie Merchant (lead-singer of 10,000 Maniacs and close-friend of R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe) said that the song was part of a pact between the two to write songs about the genocide of Native Americans....
[Verse 1]
The wheelbarrow's fallen
Look at my hands
They've found some surplus cheaper hands
Rubbing palms and pick and choose
Who will they choose?
Here is the news
[Verse 2]
Look at that building
Look at this man
Haloed and whitewashed
Gone to find a cheaper hand
He'll offer a pound
Offer a pound
[Chorus]
Green grow the rushes go
Green grow the rushes go
Green grow the rushes go
The compass points the workers home
[Verse 3]
Pay for your freedom
Or find another gate
Guilt by associate
The rushes wilted a long time ago
Guilty as you go
[Verse 4]
Stay off that highway
Word is, it's not so safe
The grasses that hide the greenback
The amber waves of gain again
The amber waves of grain
[Chorus]
Green grow the rushes go
Green grow the rushes go
Green grow the rushes go
The compass points the workers home
[Outro]
La-la-la la la lye (Green grow the rushes go)
La-la-la la la lye (Green grow the rushes go)
La-la-la la la lye (Green grow the rushes go)
[Outro]
La-la-la la la lye (Green grow the rushes go)
La-la-la la la lye (Green grow the rushes go)
La-la-la la la lye (Green grow the rushes go)
Green Grow the Rushes was written by Michael Stipe & Peter Buck & Bill Berry & Mike Mills.
Green Grow the Rushes was produced by Joe Boyd.
R.E.M. released Green Grow the Rushes on Mon Jun 10 1985.