Greensleeves Lyrics

Greensleeves

                            This version of the Tune is recreated to sound like it
                            would have sounded when played for Henry VIII.

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

                           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.

                           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.

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

                           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.

                           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.

                           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.

                           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.

Music courtesy of The Internet Renaissance Band