Greensleeves
Greensleeves was a very popular folk song in England in the latter part of the 1500s. It was brought to America in 1616 by the Pilgrims and became well known in the U.S.A. as well.
They lyrics were changed shortly after the Civil War by William C. Dix, and a new Christmas Carol was born - it was renamed "What Child Is This?"
Listen to a beautiful rendition on the video below - played with folk music instrumentation.
Greensleeves Lyrics
The original lyrics of this song had nothing to do with Christmas or any other holiday.
It would best be described as a song about "unrequited love."
The wording used in the song marks it as distinctly English -
even what we would call "Old English."
Here are the words to the song Greensleeves:
Alas my love you will do me wrong
If you cast me off so dis-cour-teous-ly
And I have loved you so very long
And delight-ing in your winning company
CHORUS
Greensleeves you were all my joy,
and you know Greensleeves you were my delight-
Greensleeves, you're my heart of gold,
No one else but my dear LADY GREENSLEEVES.
Your vows you've broken, like my heart,
Oh, why did you so enrapture me?
Now I remain in a world apart
But my heart remains in captivity.
Chorus
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.
Chorus
If you intend thus to disdain,
It does the more enrapture me,
And even so, I still remain
A lover in captivity.
Chorus
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.
Chorus
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.
Chorus
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.
Chorus
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.
Chorus
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