GREENSLEEVES

Allegedly composed by Henry VIII during his affair with Anne Boleyn, a love song that came before all that chopping and changing.

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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.

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