Greensleeves

Lyrics brought to you by Segnbora-t

---

Traditional English song. Its author is unknown, though legend has attributed it to Henry VIII writing to Anne Boleyn, which would have been around 1530. The lyrics were not recorded until 1652, though the tune is thought to be about a century older. The same tune is used for the Christmas carol What Child Is This?.

Alas, my love, you do me wrong
To cast me off discourteously
And 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 the kerchers to thy head
That were wrought fine and gallantly
I kept thee both at 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.

Greensleeves, now farewell! adieu!
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.

Indeed, greensleeves is a very beautiful song. It uses a rather common melodic structure; this can be found in many other pieces from the Renaissance. The melody also follows has an iambic pentameter, which is why many other lyrics seem to fit into the tune so well.

This is one of my favourite songs on the guitar as well... it can be played in many different manners, from tremolo to fingerstyle to harmonics. IIRC, mp3.com has a channel just for Greensleeves renditions and nothing else.