Album: Greensleeves (1580)

• Alas, my love, you do me wrong,
  To cast me off discourteously.
  For I have loved you well and long,
  Delighting in your company.
  
  Chorus:
  Greensleeves was all my joy
  Greensleeves was my delight,
  Greensleeves was my heart of gold,
  And who but my 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
  Lyrics from a song in Public Domain

Comments: 9

• Eileen Casino Nee Wilbur from UsaI have memories of this song from where I do not know. I do not know the lyrics, words.
• Mimi from EnglandSuch a lovely song! My heart melts when every I hear it.
• What A Beautiful Song from South AfricaThank you for the words
• Wayne from Lexington, KyMy favorite instrumental version of this is Kim Robertson's arrangement for the Celtic Harp on the album "Celtic Christmas".
• Ashley from Simi Valley CaThe piano tune is so calming.
• Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn April 20th 1969, Mason Williams' covered version of "Greensleeves" entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #93; the following week it would peak at #92 and that was also its final week on the Top 100...
  He had three other records make the Top 100 chart; "Classical Gas" {#2* for 2 weeks in 1968}, "Barque-A-Nova {#96 in 1968}, and "Saturday Night at the World" {#99 in 1969}...
  The two weeks "Classical Gas" was at #2 on the Top 100; the #1 record for both those weeks was "Hello, I Love You" by the Doors...
  Mason Williams will celebrate his 77th birthday in three months on August 24th {2015}.
• Chomper03 from Montrose, MdThe tune of this song was also used ( and still is use) for the Christmas song "What Child Is This?"
• Chomper03 from Montrose, MdThis song was very popular among among Peasents and Noble Family Members of the Renaisance ages of England. It was played many times on the lute (a type of mandolin) by noble musicians; who would either charmed a "Faire Maiden" ( a young virgin female ), or just play for a few Pence ( english money in coins ).. Notably, they would played it for the Maidens.
• Mathijs from Houten, NetherlandsLoreena McKennitt did a proper job on covering this as well.

More Songfacts:

SummertimeDJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince

"Summertime" by DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince is built on a sample of a Kool & The Gang instrumental from 1974 called "Summer Madness," which gets a shout in the line, "This is the Fresh Prince's new definition of summer madness."

La Isla BonitaMadonna

It wasn't one of her biggest hits, but "La Isla Bonita" (from 1986) emerged as one of Madonna's top songs in the age of streaming thanks to widespread usage on TikTok. Creators who visit an island or just want that mood often use it as a soundtrack.

AlejandroLady Gaga

The songs on Lady Gaga's The Fame Monster album represent a "fear" of some "monster." "Alejandro" is her "fear of sex" monster.

Won't Get Fooled AgainThe Who

"Won't Get Fooled Again" by The Who is about a revolution, but it doesn't have a happy ending, since in the end the new regime becomes just like the old one. Pete Townshend thought that whoever was in power was destined to become corrupt.

Auld Lang SyneTraditional

The New Year's Eve favorite "Auld Lang Syne" is a Scottish song that roughly translates to "Days Of Long Ago."

For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)AC/DC

AC/DC's "For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)" is titled after a phrase Roman gladiators said heading into battle: "We who are about to die salute you."

Editor's Picks

Bob Dylan Lyric QuizMusic Quiz

Think you know your Bob Dylan lyrics? Take this quiz to find out.

Dwight TwilleySongwriter Interviews

Since his debut single "I'm On Fire" in 1975, Dwight has been providing Spinal-Tap moments and misadventure.

Tom Waits Lyrics QuizMusic Quiz

Pool balls, magpies and thorns without roses - how well do you know your Tom Waits lyrics?

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.

Band NamesFact or Fiction

Was "Pearl" Eddie Vedder's grandmother, and did she really make a hallucinogenic jam? Did Journey have a contest to name the group? And what does KISS stand for anyway?

Justin TimberlakeFact or Fiction

Was Justin the first to be Punk'd by Ashton Kutcher? Did Britney really blame him for her meltdown? Did his bandmates think he was gay?