Alternative Greensleeves Lyrics

Since the beautiful melody was given the name and lyrics of "Greensleeves" in Elizabethan England, others have written alternative lyrics to be sung to the tune. Here are a few:

Freedom under Law

Assembled from historical sayings by Jon Roland

Let us raise a standard,
To which the wise and honest can repair.
The event is in the hands of God,
The fate of our Constitution.

Chorus:
Freedom under Law,
Freedom to speak and print and sing,
Freedom to join with friends,
And find our own way of being.


A ripple here, a ripple there.
Now there's something in the air.
A wave is building in the sea
As we play the game of history.



Home in the Meadow...

Written by Sammy Cahn, theme in the 1962 movie, How the West Was Won, sung by Debbie Reynolds

Away, Away
Come away with me
Where the grass grows wild, where the winds blow free
Away, Away
Come away with me
And I'll build you a home in the meadow

Come, Come
There's a wondrous land
For the hopeful heart, for the willing hand
Come, Come
There's a wondrous land
Where I'll build you a home in the meadow

The stars, the stars
Oh how bright they'll shine
On a world that the Lord must have helped design
The stars, the stars
Oh how bright they'll shine
On that home we will build in the meadow

Come, Come
There's a wondrous land
For the hopeful heart, for the willing hand
Come. Come
There's a wondrous land
Where I'll build you a home in the meadow

What Child is this?

Words: William Chatterton Dix, 1865.
These modified stanzas are from Dix' poem The Manger Throne.
Music: "Greensleeves," 16th Century English melody
Arranged by Sir John Stainer. See this for more.

1. What Child is this who, laid to rest
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom Angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and Angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

2. Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.

Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

3. So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
Come peasant, king to own Him;
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Traditional Lyrics

Unknown author

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

Chorus:
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.

chorus

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.

chorus

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

chorus

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.

chorus

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.

chorus

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.

chorus

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.

Recordings

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Original URL: http://constitution.org/col/lyrics.htm | Text Version
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Original date: 2011/10/28 —