The Lady Greensleeves painting by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, depicting a woman in green, illustrating the historical song 'Greensleeves the song'
Like many enduring melodies, “Greensleeves The Song” holds a certain mystique. It’s a tune that resonates across centuries, familiar yet often shrouded in unanswered questions. Many, upon closer reflection, might find themselves wondering: is there actually a lady with green sleeves in “Greensleeves the song?” This very question arose when the piece appeared on a concert list, prompting a deeper dive into the history and meaning behind this iconic song. Beyond its standalone fame, the melody of “Greensleeves the song” is also interwoven with other well-known pieces, such as the Christmas carol “What Child Is This?” and “I’ll Build You a Home in the Meadow” from the film How the West Was Won. So, let’s embark on a journey to explore the origins and stories behind “Greensleeves the song”.
Debunking the Royal Romance: Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn
One of the most persistent and romantic notions surrounding “Greensleeves the song” is its supposed connection to King Henry VIII of England. Popular lore suggests that the king penned “Greensleeves the song” for Anne Boleyn, the woman who would become his second wife and ultimately meet a tragic end. However captivating this tale might be, historical evidence points to it being largely a myth.
“Greensleeves the song” first emerged into the public sphere as a “broadside ballad” in 1580. This date is significant because Henry VIII had already passed away in 1547. Furthermore, his courtship of Anne Boleyn took place much earlier, in the mid-1520s. While it’s theoretically possible that Henry could have composed the song during that period, with its publication delayed by over half a century, concrete proof of his authorship is conspicuously absent. The only tenuous link is a fleeting reference in another song utilizing the same tune, alluding to “King Harries time.” Beyond this, there is no substantive evidence to attribute “Greensleeves the song” directly to Henry VIII.
Anne Boleyn and the Color Green: Separating Fact from Fiction
If Anne Boleyn wasn’t the muse who inspired Henry’s composition of “Greensleeves the song”, could there still be a connection to her through the color green? Perhaps Anne Boleyn was particularly associated with the color, leading to the enduring association with “Greensleeves the song.” Did she favor wearing green, or was the color linked to her family in some way?
Interestingly, the answer appears to be no. Anne Boleyn’s family crest and personal badge featured a falcon, rendered in gold against a black background. Historical accounts detailing her wardrobe, especially the gifts bestowed upon her by Henry during their courtship, reveal a palette dominated by black, red, purple, and gold – colors traditionally associated with royalty and nobility. “Russet” or “tawny,” shades of caramel or rust, also appear in descriptions of her clothing. Notably, there’s the well-known anecdote of Anne appearing in a yellow gown the day after news of Catherine of Aragon’s death reached the court. This bold choice, defying the expected mourning color of black, was seen as a deliberate statement. Despite the sunshine connotations of yellow today, even this instance doesn’t link Anne Boleyn to green. Thus, the connection between Anne Boleyn and “Greensleeves the song,” whether through authorship or association with the color green, remains unsubstantiated.
The Symbolism of Green: Unpacking the Meaning
With the Anne Boleyn connection dispelled, we turn to the color green itself and its potential symbolism within “Greensleeves the song.” The symbolism of green is multifaceted and historically rich, carrying a range of connotations, some contradictory.
One interpretation links green to notions of promiscuity or a “loose” woman. This association stems from the idea that grass stains on a woman’s dress might suggest outdoor sexual encounters. Furthermore, green is a color associated with fertility, so a pregnancy, regardless of its circumstances, could also be linked to green.
However, it’s crucial to avoid oversimplification. While green could carry these connotations, it wasn’t its sole or universal meaning. Art from the period reveals numerous depictions of saintly and noble women adorned in green garments. These portrayals demonstrate that green also symbolized virtues, nature, freshness, and even wealth, depending on the context and shade. The featured painting, although from the 19th century, serves as a visual reminder that green was indeed used in art to depict women, and the title directly links it to “Greensleeves the song”.
Lyrics and Courtly Love: Deciphering the Ballad
To truly understand “Greensleeves the song,” we must examine its lyrics. The original broadside ballad is said to have contained a remarkable 18 verses. The popular choral arrangement, Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on “Greensleeves,” typically incorporates only the first verse and fragments of others. These selected verses offer a glimpse into the narrative:
Alas, my love, you do me wrong,
To cast me off discourteously.
For I have loved you well and long,
Delighting in your company.
Well, I will pray to God on high,
That thou my constancy mayst see,
For I am still thy lover true,
Come once again and love me.
Chorus: Greensleeves was all my joy
Greensleeves was my delight,
Greensleeves was my heart of gold,
And who but my lady greensleeves.
The tone of these verses strongly suggests that “Lady Greensleeves” is a woman of noble standing and virtue. The language and sentiments echo the conventions of courtly love, a medieval tradition of idealized and often unrequited romantic devotion. Courtly love involved men expressing passionate love poetry and gestures towards women of high social status, often without the expectation of a reciprocal relationship in the modern sense. A knight might wear his lady’s colors in tournaments, yet never actually engage in personal conversation with her. While “Greensleeves the song” emerged after the peak of courtly love’s influence, it still resonates with this tradition.
Beyond the recurring mention of “Greensleeves,” the color green appears explicitly within other verses of the song. One verse, in particular, details gifts the speaker has bestowed upon the lady, including “a gown of the grassy green.” Other gifts mentioned are crimson stockings and white shoes. The inclusion of the “gown of grassy green” further emphasizes the significance of the color in relation to this lady. Another verse elaborates:
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.
This verse suggests that the speaker went to considerable expense and effort to impress Lady Greensleeves, even dressing his retinue in green livery. A somewhat mercenary undertone emerges in another verse where the speaker laments the cost of his unrequited affections:
And who did pay for all this gear
That thou didst spend when pleased thee?
Even I that am rejected here
And thou distainst to love me.
Ultimately, “Greensleeves the song” is a lament of unrequited love. It’s a poignant expression of devotion and frustration, capturing the timeless experience of longing for someone unattainable.
Enduring Legacy and Melodic Echoes
“Greensleeves the song” has transcended its origins as a broadside ballad to become a timeless piece of music. Its melody has proven remarkably adaptable, lending itself to various arrangements and lyrical adaptations. Notably, the tune is famously used for the Christmas carol “What Child Is This?”, demonstrating its versatility and enduring appeal across genres and themes. Its inclusion in the soundtrack of How the West Was Won further highlights its broad cultural resonance.
While the identity of the “Lady Greensleeves” and the precise meaning behind the song remain open to interpretation, its enduring popularity is undeniable. “Greensleeves the song” continues to captivate listeners centuries after its emergence, a testament to the power of its melody and the timeless themes of love and longing it evokes.
Here is a beautiful rendition of the Vaughn Williams arrangement of “Greensleeves the song”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Txv-WCsRdtE
And here’s a live performance of the Fantasia itself by a chamber group:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0F6EUIlq2o
© Debi Simons
