Songbook/Greensleeves

Chords 100px 100px 100px 100px 100px Greensleeves thumb|right|"My Lady Greensleeves" von Dante Gabriel Rossetti, 1864 Greensleeves is an old English folk song that has been quoted in Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor (1602). This quote indicates that the song was very well known before (mid to late 16th century). The name of the Lady Greensleeves probably refers to the green puff sleeves that were fashionable in Northern England at the time. Greensleeves Strophe1 A-Amlas, myClove, youGdo meEmwrong, ToAmcast me off dis-Ecourteously. ForAmI haveCloved youGwell andEmlong, De-AmlightingEin yourAmcompany. Chorus CGreensleeves wasGall myEmjoy AmGreensleeves wasEmy delight, CGreensleeves was myGheart ofEmgold, AndAmwho but myEladyAm,greensleeves. 2. A-Amlas, myClove, thatGyou shouldEmown AAmheart of wantonEvanity, SoAmmust ICmedi-Gtate a-Emlone Up-Amon yourEinsin-Amcerity. 3. YourAmvows you'veCbroken,Glike myEmheart, Oh,Amwhy did you so en-Erapture me? NowAmI re-Cmain in aGworld a-Empart ButAmmy heart re-Emains in cap-Amtivity. 4. IfAmyou in-Ctend thusGto dis-Emdain, ItAmdoes the more en-Erapture me, AndAmevenCso, IGstill re-Emmain AAmloverEin cap-Amtivity. 5. I've Am been C readyGat yourEmhand, ToAmgrant whateverEyou would crave;, IAmhave bothCwageredGlife andEmland, YourAmlove andEgood-willAmfor to have. 6. ThouAmcouldst de-Csire noGearthlyEmthing, ButAmstill thou hadst itEreadily. ThyAmmusicCstill toGplay andEmsing; AndAmyet thouEwouldst notAmlove me. 7. AmI bought theeCkerchiefsGfor thyEmhead, ThatAmwere wrought fine andEgallantly; IAmkept theeCat bothGboard andEmbed, AmWhich cost myEpurse well-Amfavoredly. 8. AmI bought theeCpetticoatsGof theEmbest, TheAmcloth so fine asEit might be; AmI gave theeCjewelsGfor thyEmchest, AndAmall thisEcost IAmspent on thee. 9. ThyAmsmock ofCsilk, bothGfair andEmwhite, WithAmgold embroideredEgorgeously; ThyAmpetti-Ccoat ofGsendalEmright, AndAmthese IEbought theeAmgladly. 10. MyAmmen wereCclothedGall inEmgreen, AndAmthey did everEwait on thee; AllAmthis wasCgallantGto beEmseen, AndAmyet thouEwouldst notAmlove me. 11. TheyAm set theeCup, theyGtook theeEmdown, TheyAmserved thee with hu-Emility; Thy Amfoot mightCnot onceGtouch theEmground, AndAmyet thouEwouldst notAmlove me. 12. 'TisAm I willCpray toGGod onEmhigh, ThatAmthou my constancyEmayst see, AndAmthat yetConce be-Gfore IEmdie, ThouAmwilt vouchEsafe toAmlove me. 13. Ah,Am Greens-Cleeves, nowGfarewell,Emadieu, ToAmGod I pray toEprosper thee, For AmI amCstill thyGloverEmtrue, ComeAmonce a-Egain andAmlove me. Transcription There are many variations of this song, including quite simple ones as a solo piece for the guitar. The chords in this version are based on a simple arrangement for the classical guitar. If the piece is too high (or too low), use a capo in the 5th fret. This would transpose the piece into D minor, and it may be easier to sing. Am = Dm; C = F; D = G; F = Bb; E = A Those who shy away from the Bb major can also transpose the piece to Em. This would correspond to a capo in the 7th fret. Am = Em; C = G; D = A; F = C; E = H7