Greensleeves by Cheryl Shantz
- 10 years ago
A beautiful Piano arrangement of "Greensleeves" written and performed by composer Cheryl Shantz. The arrangement is from her Piano collection "Folksongs for Piano: A Classical Interpretation" (www.kallistimusic.com). Following the Piano arrrangement is "Greensleeves" arranged for Full Orchestra. Originally appearing around 1584 in a black-letter broadside (a 16th & 17th century newspaper), many versions of the exceptionally popular "Greensleeves" have been used over the years as a carol, a political statement, background music for public hangings, and dance music. The word "greensleeves" refers to a courtesan or mistress of a man of rank. The lyrics describe a wealthy man's futile attempt to win the heart of Lady Greensleeves by bestowing upon her luxurious gifts of all sorts. Lady Greensleeves remains his true love even though all of his extravagant efforts are in vain.
To see a full listing of folksong arrangements by Cheryl Shantz click on the following website: http://cshantz.blogspot.com/
To see a listing of her original song compositions, visit the following website: http://cmshantz.blogspot.com/
For a listing of Cheryl Shantz's compositions for full orchestra visit: http://www.cherylshantz.blogspot.com/
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The lyrics to "Greensleeves" are below. "Greensleeves"
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.
To see a full listing of folksong arrangements by Cheryl Shantz click on the following website: http://cshantz.blogspot.com/
To see a listing of her original song compositions, visit the following website: http://cmshantz.blogspot.com/
For a listing of Cheryl Shantz's compositions for full orchestra visit: http://www.cherylshantz.blogspot.com/
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The lyrics to "Greensleeves" are below. "Greensleeves"
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.