Greensleeves
Greensleeves|Greensleeves
Also known as: A Newe Northen Dittye of ye Ladye Greene Sleves · A New Courtly Sonnet of the Lady Green Sleeves · What Child is This?
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Alas, my love, ye do me wrong,To cast me off discourteously.For I have lovèd you so long,Delighting in your company.
Greensleeves was all my joy,Greensleeves was my delight:Greensleeves was my heart of gold,And who but my Lady Greensleeves.
I have been ready at your hand,To grant whatever you would crave;I have both wagèd life and land,Your love and good-will for to have.
Greensleeves was all my joy,Greensleeves was my delight:Greensleeves was my heart of gold,And who but my Lady Greensleeves.
I bought thee kerchers to thy head,That were wrought fine and gallantly;I kept thee both board and bed,Which cost my purse well-favouredly.
Greensleeves was all my joy,Greensleeves was my delight:Greensleeves was my heart of gold,And who but my Lady Greensleeves.
Thy smock of silk, both fair and white,With gold embroiderèd gorgeously:Thy petticoat of sendal right:And these I bought thee gladly.
Greensleeves was all my joy,Greensleeves was my delight:Greensleeves was my heart of gold,And who but my Lady Greensleeves.
Thy girdle of gold so red,With pearls bedeckèd sumptuously:The like no other lassy had,And yet thou wouldst not love me.
Greensleeves was all my joy,Greensleeves was my delight:Greensleeves was my heart of gold,And who but my Lady Greensleeves.
Thy crimson stockings all of silk,With gold all wrought above the knee,Thy pumps as white as was the milk,And yet thou wouldst not love me.
Greensleeves was all my joy,Greensleeves was my delight:Greensleeves was my heart of gold,And who but my Lady Greensleeves.
Thy gown was of the grassie green,Thy sleeves of Satten hanging by:Which made thee be our harvest Queen,And yet thou wouldst not love me.
Greensleeves was all my joy,Greensleeves was my delight:Greensleeves was my heart of gold,And who but my Lady Greensleeves.
Thy garters fringèd with the gold,And silver aglets hanging by,Which made thee blithe for to behold,And yet thou wouldst not love me.
Greensleeves was all my joy,Greensleeves was my delight:Greensleeves was my heart of gold,And who but my Lady Greensleeves.
My gayest gelding I thee gave,To ride where ever liked thee,No Lady ever was so brave,And yet thou wouldst not love me.
Greensleeves was all my joy,Greensleeves was my delight:Greensleeves was my heart of gold,And who but my Lady Greensleeves.
My men were clothed all in green,And they did ever wait on thee:All this was gallant to be seen,And yet thou wouldst not love me.
Greensleeves was all my joy,Greensleeves was my delight:Greensleeves was my heart of gold,And who but my Lady Greensleeves.
They set thee up, they took thee down,They served thee with humility,Thy foot might not once touch the ground,And yet thou wouldst not love me.
Greensleeves was all my joy,Greensleeves was my delight:Greensleeves was my heart of gold,And who but my Lady Greensleeves.
For every morning when thou rose,I sent thee dainties orderly,To cheer thy stomach from all woes:And yet thou wouldst not love me.
Greensleeves was all my joy,Greensleeves was my delight:Greensleeves was my heart of gold,And who but my Lady Greensleeves.
Thou couldst desire no earthly thing,But still thou hadst it readily,Thy music still to play and sing:And yet thou wouldst not love me.
Greensleeves was all my joy,Greensleeves was my delight:Greensleeves was my heart of gold,And who but my Lady Greensleeves.
And who did pay for all this gear,That thou didst spend when pleased thee?Even I that am rejected here,And thou disdainest to love me!
Greensleeves was all my joy,Greensleeves was my delight:Greensleeves was my heart of gold,And who but my Lady Greensleeves.
Well, I will pray to God on high,That thou my constancy mayst see,And that yet once before I die,Thou wilt vouchsafe to love me.
Greensleeves was all my joy,Greensleeves was my delight:Greensleeves was my heart of gold,And who but my Lady Greensleeves.
Ah, Greensleeves, now farewell! adieu!To God I pray to prosper thee!For I am still thy lover true:Come once again and love me!
Greensleeves was all my joy,Greensleeves was my delight:Greensleeves was my heart of gold,And who but my Lady Greensleeves.
Alas, my love, you do me wrong, To cast me off discourteously. For I have loved you so long, Delighting in your company. Greensleeves was all my joy, Greensleeves was my delight: Greensleeves was my heart of gold, And who but my Lady Greensleeves. I have been ready at your hand, To grant whatever you would crave; I have both wagered life and land, Your love and good-will for to have. Greensleeves was all my joy, Greensleeves was my delight: Greensleeves was my heart of gold, And who but my Lady Greensleeves. I bought you kerchiefs for your head, That were finely and gallantly made; I kept you both board and bed, Which cost my purse well. Greensleeves was all my joy, Greensleeves was my delight: Greensleeves was my heart of gold, And who but my Lady Greensleeves. Your smock of silk, both fair and white, With gold embroidered gorgeously: Your petticoat of fine silk: And these I bought you gladly. Greensleeves was all my joy, Greensleeves was my delight: Greensleeves was my heart of gold, And who but my Lady Greensleeves. Your girdle of gold so red, With pearls bedecked sumptuously: The like no other lass had, And yet you would not love me. Greensleeves was all my joy, Greensleeves was my delight: Greensleeves was my heart of gold, And who but my Lady Greensleeves. Your crimson stockings all of silk, With gold all wrought above the knee, Your pumps as white as was the milk, And yet you would not love me. Greensleeves was all my joy, Greensleeves was my delight: Greensleeves was my heart of gold, And who but my Lady Greensleeves. Your gown was of the grassy green, Your sleeves of Satin hanging by: Which made you be our harvest Queen, And yet you would not love me. Greensleeves was all my joy, Greensleeves was my delight: Greensleeves was my heart of gold, And who but my Lady Greensleeves. Your garters fringed with the gold, And silver aglets hanging by, Which made you joyful to behold, And yet you would not love me. Greensleeves was all my joy, Greensleeves was my delight: Greensleeves was my heart of gold, And who but my Lady Greensleeves. My gayest gelding I gave to you, To ride wherever you liked, No Lady ever was so brave, And yet you would not love me. Greensleeves was all my joy, Greensleeves was my delight: Greensleeves was my heart of gold, And who but my Lady Greensleeves. My men were clothed all in green, And they did ever wait on you: All this was gallant to be seen, And yet you would not love me. Greensleeves was all my joy, Greensleeves was my delight: Greensleeves was my heart of gold, And who but my Lady Greensleeves. They set you up, they took you down, They served you with humility, Your foot might not once touch the ground, And yet you would not love me. Greensleeves was all my joy, Greensleeves was my delight: Greensleeves was my heart of gold, And who but my Lady Greensleeves. For every morning when you rose, I sent you dainties orderly, To cheer your stomach from all woes: And yet you would not love me. Greensleeves was all my joy, Greensleeves was my delight: Greensleeves was my heart of gold, And who but my Lady Greensleeves. You could desire no earthly thing, But still you had it readily, Your music still to play and sing: And yet you would not love me. Greensleeves was all my joy, Greensleeves was my delight: Greensleeves was my heart of gold, And who but my Lady Greensleeves. And who did pay for all this gear, That you did spend when pleased you? Even I that am rejected here, And you disdain to love me! Greensleeves was all my joy, Greensleeves was my delight: Greensleeves was my heart of gold, And who but my Lady Greensleeves. Well, I will pray to God on high, That you my constancy may see, And that yet once before I die, You will vouchsafe to love me. Greensleeves was all my joy, Greensleeves was my delight: Greensleeves was my heart of gold, And who but my Lady Greensleeves. Ah, Greensleeves, now farewell! adieu! To God I pray to prosper you! For I am still your lover true: Come once again and love me! Greensleeves was all my joy, Greensleeves was my delight: Greensleeves was my heart of gold, And who but my Lady Greensleeves.
The translation is a direct, literal rendering of the original Elizabethan English lyrics, preserving the archaic phrasing and vocabulary to maintain historical authenticity.
Greensleeves is one of the most iconic and enduring traditional English folk songs, with origins tracing back to the late 16th century. While a persistent myth attributes its composition to King Henry VIII for Anne Boleyn, historical evidence refutes this, as the musical style (Italian romanesca or passamezzo antico) did not reach England until after his death in 1547. The earliest documented reference is a broadside ballad titled 'A Newe Northen Dittye of ye Ladye Greene Sleves,' registered by Richard Jones at the London Stationers' Company in September 1580. This suggests the song was already popular by the Elizabethan era, likely composed by an anonymous musician between 1570 and 1580. Culturally, 'Greensleeves' has transcended its folk origins to become a symbol of English musical heritage. Its adaptable melody has led to countless interpretations across genres and media. It is famously associated with the Christmas carol 'What Child is This?', with lyrics written by William Chatterton Dix in 1865. The song's themes of unrequited love, longing, and rejection resonate universally, with 'Greensleeves' often symbolizing an elusive or unfaithful lady-love, though 'green' also signified growing love or unmarried young women in the period. Its melancholic minor key gives it a haunting beauty that has captivated audiences for centuries. In terms of performance, 'Greensleeves' is a versatile tune. Historically, it would have been sung accompanied by instruments like the lute, which was popular in the Renaissance. Today, it is performed on a wide array of instruments including classical guitar, harp, dulcimer, recorder, tin whistle, flute, piano, and bodhrán. It has been adapted for various settings, from solo instrumental pieces to choral arrangements. Its presence in Shakespeare's 'The Merry Wives of Windsor' (1602) indicates its widespread recognition even in the early 17th century. 'Greensleeves' remains culturally significant today, appearing in films, television shows, and as a popular jingle for ice cream trucks in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Its enduring popularity highlights the timeless appeal of its melody and lyrical narrative. Preservation efforts focus on documenting its various historical versions, musical arrangements, and cultural adaptations to ensure its continued legacy as a foundational piece of English folk music. It serves as a testament to how traditional melodies can evolve and adapt while retaining their core identity across generations and diverse cultural contexts.
Historical Background
Originated in Elizabethan England (late 16th century), around 1570-1580. First registered as a broadside ballad in 1580. Its melody is based on Italian musical forms (romanesca, passamezzo antico). Referenced in Shakespeare's 'The Merry Wives of Windsor' (11602).
Cultural Significance
An enduring symbol of English musical heritage, widely recognized globally. Its melody has been adapted into the popular Christmas carol 'What Child is This?' and incorporated into classical works like Ralph Vaughan Williams' 'Fantasia on Greensleeves'. It represents the continuity of folk tradition and its adaptability across centuries and genres.
Usage & Performance Context
Historically, sung as a ballad or played instrumentally for entertainment. Today, performed in folk music concerts, classical arrangements, seasonal events (especially Christmas as 'What Child is This?'), and as background music in media. Often associated with historical re-enactments or cultural festivals celebrating English heritage.
Who composed Greensleeves?
The composer of 'Greensleeves' is anonymous. While a popular myth attributes it to King Henry VIII, historical evidence indicates it was composed in the late 16th century, after his death, likely between 1570 and 1580.
When was Greensleeves first recorded or published?
The earliest known registration of a ballad titled 'A Newe Northen Dittye of ye Ladye Greene Sleves' was by Richard Jones at the London Stationers' Company in September 1580.
Is Greensleeves in the public domain?
Yes, 'Greensleeves' is firmly in the public domain due to its age and anonymous authorship. This means the original melody and traditional lyrics can be freely used and adapted without copyright restrictions.
What is the meaning behind the lyrics of Greensleeves?
The lyrics of 'Greensleeves' tell the story of a rejected lover lamenting his unrequited affection for 'Lady Greensleeves,' despite showering her with gifts and devotion. The term 'Greensleeves' itself may refer to an unfaithful woman or simply an unmarried young woman.
How is Greensleeves connected to the Christmas carol 'What Child is This?'
The popular Christmas carol 'What Child is This?' uses the traditional melody of 'Greensleeves'. The lyrics for the carol were written by William Chatterton Dix in 1865, set to the existing tune.
Region
Sung at
Language
English (Latin)
Themes
Contributor
Anonymous
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