Greensleeves

Alas, my love, you do me wrong,
To cast me off discourteously,
And I have loved you oh, so 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.

I have been ready at your hand,
To grant whatever thou wouldst crave;
I have both wagered life and land,
Your love and good-will for to have.

Chorus

Thy smock of silk, both fair and white,
With gold embroidered gorgeously;
Thy petticoat of sendal white,
And these I bought thee gladly.

Chorus

'Tis 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

this song is credited to King Henry VIII. Small wonder the lady in question wasn't interested! My grade 7 music teacher told us that the title may refer to a tradition of the time period of lovers to wear green clothing.

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Graphic background from Gros&Co web pages

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