Greensleeves

King Henry VIII - Greensleeves

Picture of King Henry VIII

 

Greensleeves

  • Interesting Facts and information about the most famous Tudor song Greensleeves
  • Sixteen Century publication of Greensleeves
  • King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn
  • Music, King Henry VIII and Greensleeves
  • Interpret Greensleeves
  • Interpretation of the Words of Greensleeves

Greensleeves

Greensleeves
The old song Greensleeves is a traditional English folk song dating back to the sixteenth century. There has been considerable debate regarding the identity of the composer of the lyrics and music or melody of the song Greensleeves. The most popular belief about the identity of the composer relates to the legend that the words and lyrics of the song were written for Anne Boleyn (1502-1536) by King Henry VIII (1491-1547) during their turbulent courtship.

Greensleeves Lyrics
Lady Greensleeves

Publication of Greensleeves
Greensleeves was first believed to have been published in September 1580 when a printer named Richard Jones had licensed to him the lyrics and music of a song called  "A new Northern Dittye of the Lady Greene Sleeves". Another printer called Edward White also had a license to publish Greensleeves under the name of "A ballad, being the Ladie Greene Sleeves Answere to Donkyn his frende". The two printers argued for the rights of Greensleeves and various versions were published. Eventually in 1584 Richard Jones printed his final version of the words, lyrics and music to Greensleeves which appeared in a collection of songs called "A Handful of Pleasant Delights", which is the version we know today.

King Henry VIII and Greensleeves
King Henry VIII was an extremely accomplished Musician and Composer. Music and the ability to play musical instruments was essential during the Tudor era and the education of King Henry VIII included great attention to the development of musical skills. The obsession of King Henry VIII with Anne Boleyn started in 1526. King Henry VIII wrote the following  in an excerpt from a love letter to Anne Boleyn which was written in 1528:

"...having been for more than a year now struck by the dart of love, and being uncertain either of failure or of finding a place in your heart and affection..."

This King Henry VIII quotation clearly illustrates the unfamiliar position of apparent unrequited love that King Henry had found himself in during his early courtship of Anne Boleyn. The connection between King Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and the words and lyrics to Greensleeves has been made due to the interpretation of the following words of the song which could be interpreted to reflect the relationship between Anne Boleyn and King Henry:

First Verse

Alas, my love, you do me wrong,
To cast me off discourteously.
For I have loved you well and long,
Delighting in your company.

Second Verse

So must I meditate alone
Upon your insincerity.

Third Verse

If you intend thus to disdain,
It does the more enrapture me,
And even so, I still remain
A lover in captivity.

Fourth Verse

I have been ready at your hand,
To grant whatever you would crave

Fifth Verse

Thou couldst desire no earthly thing,
But still thou hadst it readily.

Seventh Verse

I bought thee petticoats of the best,
The cloth so fine as it might be;
I gave thee jewels for thy chest,
And all this cost I spent on thee.
 

Nineth Verse

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.

Last Verse

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.

Interpret Greensleeves
When the above verses are considered and compared to the relationship between Anne Boleyn and King Henry VIII it is easy to interpret the lyrics and words of Greensleeves as a reflection of their relationship. Other verses of Greensleeves talk of the clothes which have been bought for the Lady Greensleeves - "The cloth so fine as it might be" and "With gold embroidered gorgeously". The "petticoat of sendal" refers to a thin light silk used in the Middle Ages for fine garments. So its easy to interpret the lyrics and words of Greensleeves as a reflection of the famous love story between Anne Boleyn and King Henry VIII.

  • The unrequited love felt by King Henry VIII for Anne Boleyn
  • The length of time she had kept him waiting to return his love
  • His frustration at this treatment and his reaction to it as in the words "why did you so enrapture me?"
  • His readiness to give the Lady Greensleeves anything she wanted
  • The clothes and jewels he gave her "Which cost my purse well-favoredly"
  • Liveried men waited upon her - all aware of the game she was playing
  • His confusion as to whether the Lady Greensleeves would ever love him

Greensleeves
Each section of this Tudors website addresses all topics and provides interesting facts and information about Greensleeves. The Sitemap provides full details of all of the information and facts provided about the fascinating subject of the Tudors!

Greensleeves

  • Interesting Facts and information about the most famous Tudor song
  • Sixteen Century publication of Greensleeves
  • King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn
  • Music, King Henry VIII and Greensleeves
  • Interpret Greensleeves
  • Interpretation of the Words

Greensleeves

Greensleeves - History of Tudor Music - Sixteenth century - 16th Century - Information and Facts - Gren sleaves - sleeves - Lady Greensleeves - King Henry Viii - Song - Words - Lyrics - Era - Tudor Life - Tudors - Tudor Times - Music - Musicians - Composers - Folk Song - Greensleeves - Greensleeves - History of Tudor Music - Information and Facts - Gren sleaves 0 sleeves - Sixteenth century - 16th Century - Lady Greensleeves - King Henry Viii - Song - Words - Sixteenth century - 16th Century - Lyrics - Era - Tudor Life - Tudors - Tudor Times - Music - Musicians - Composers - Folk Song - Greensleeves - Written By Linda Alchin

The Tudors Website The Tudors Website
© June 2014 Siteseen Ltd Cookies Policy
By Linda AlchinPrivacy Statement