GREENSLEEVES

“Greensleeves” is a traditional English folk song and tune, a ground of the form called a

“romanesca”. Many surviving sets of lyrics were written to this tune. A widely-believed

(but completely unproven) legend is that it was composed by King Henry VIII for his

lover and future queen consort Anne Boleyn. Anne, the daughter of Thomas Boleyn,

rejected Henry’s attempts to seduce her. This rejection is apparently referred to in the

song, when the writer’s love “cast me off discourteously.” However, it is most unlikely

that King Henry VIII wrote it, as the song is written in a style which was not known in

England until after Henry VIII died.

It is widely thought that Lady Green Sleeves was at the very least a promiscuous young

woman and perhaps a prostitute. At this time, the word “green” also had sexual

connotations, most notably in the phrase “a green gown”, a reference to the way that grass

stains might be seen on a lady’s dress if she had made love outside. An alternative

explanation is that Lady Green Sleeves was, as a result of her attire, incorrectly assumed

to be immoral. Her “discourteous” rejection of the singer’s advances quite clearly makes

the point that she is not.

Alas my love you do me wrong

To cast me out discourteously

When I have loved you so so long

Delighting in your company

Your gown was of the grassy green

Your sleeves of satin were hanging by

Which made you be a harvest queen

Yet you would not love me

Green sleeves was my all my joy

Green sleeves was my delight

Green sleeves was my heart of gold

And who but my lady green sleeves

Alas my love you do me wrong

To cast me out discourteously

When I have loved you so so long

Delighting in your company

Banjo Mountain