Added: Sep 4, 2008

From: musicksmonument

Duration: 4:43

GreensleevesAnonymous setting from the Ballet Lute book, which is probably the earliest known setting of the tune, and Francis Cutting's (1571 - 1596) set of variations upon it.Paula Bär-Giese - soprano Hans Meijer - luteHigh bitrate performance:http://web.mac.com/musicksmonumentdownl/Websites_for_museums/Holbein_project-Greensleeves.htmlIPOD DOWNLOADhttp://web.mac.com/musicksmonumentdownl/Startpage/Free_iPod_downloads_YouTube_Movies.htmlRecorded at Castle Radboud-Medemblik:http://web.mac.com/musicksmonumentdownl/Castle_Radboud/Castle_Radboud_Medemblik-The_Netherlands.htmlHandsome, gifted and recently married to Catherine of Aragon, King Henry VIII was the envy of Europe when he penned 35 royal compositions in the early years of his long and turbulent reign. (Thirty-five Compositions Ref: E1801 The complete secular works of King Henry VIII consisting of partsongs and instrumental consorts. Publisher Stainer & Bell) Truly a Renaissance prince, he was also a gifted composer who excelled in portraying the pleasures of courtly life through words and music. His daughter, Elizabeth, inherited his gifts, and was a keen dancer and an excellent performer on the virginals."Greensleeves" is a traditional English folk song and tune, basically a ground of the form called a romanesca.A widely-believed (but completely unproven) legend is that it was composed by King Henry VIII of England (1491-1547) for his lover and future queen consort Anne Boleyn. Anne, the youngest daughter of Thomas Boleyn, 1st Earl of Wiltshire, rejected Henry's attempts to seduce her. This rejection is apparently referred to in the song, when the writer's love "cast me off discourteously." It is not known if the legend is true, but the song is still commonly associated with Boleyn in the public mind.Hans Holbein (1497/8--1543) was the first great British artist, and is regarded as one of the greatest artists of all time. He moved to England from Basel in 1526--8 and then again in 1532--43, an extremely turbulent time in English history when all around were losing their heads. His arrival effectively brought the Renaissance in painting from continental Europe to Britain.Hans Holbein project:http://web.mac.com/musicksmonumentdownl/Hans_Holbein/Hans_Holbein_slideshow_%26_Greensleeves_.htmlAlas, my love, you do me wrongTo cast me off discourteouslyFor I have loved you well and longDelighting in your company.Greensleeves was all my joyGreensleeves was my delightGreensleeves was my heart of goldAnd who but my lady GreensleevesYour vows you've broken, like my heartOh, why did you so enrapture meNow I remain in a world apartBut my heart remains in captivityGreensleeves was all my joyGreensleeves was my delightGreensleeves was my heart of goldAnd who but my lady Greensleeves.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.Greensleeves was all my joyGreensleeves was my delightGreensleeves was my heart of goldAnd who but my lady Greensleeves.If you intend thus to disdain,It does the more enrapture me,And even so, I still remainA lover in captivity.Greensleeves was all my joyGreensleeves was my delightGreensleeves was my heart of goldAnd who but my lady Greensleeves.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.Greensleeves was all my joyGreensleeves was my delightGreensleeves was my heart of goldAnd who but my lady Greensleeves.

Channel: Music

Tags: anna-boleyn  castle-radboud  english  folk  francis-cutting  greensleeves  hans-meijer  henry-viii  holbein  lady-green-sleeves  paula-bär-giese  song  traditional 


Rating: 4.82 (550 ratings)    Views: 136772' favoriteCount='978    Comments: 288

DeG29 Says:

Sep 4, 2008 - Yeah!i love this video!

Sheilawisz Says:

Sep 4, 2008 - Anyone knows the true origin of Greensleves, or is it a total mystery ???

ErikMogan Says:

Sep 4, 2008 - S'a mystery.

Sheilawisz Says:

Sep 4, 2008 - Thanks !!!

generaltut Says:

Sep 4, 2008 - i think this migh be one of the greatest songs written in history....

Coldgirl Says:

Sep 4, 2008 - Most people believe that it was written by King Henry VIII for his wife Anne but no one has yet come forward with proof to dispute that. Plus King Henry VIII was very musically gifted.

Sheilawisz Says:

Sep 4, 2008 - Thank you... Well, to Me it still sounds like Greensleeves's origins are lost in the darkness, which makes it even more fascinating indeed !!!

ohad3210 Says:

Sep 4, 2008 - The original version is by tenor singer(man)!!!

Chelseagirl74 Says:

Sep 4, 2008 - That is true, he was talented but the lyrics were written in a style that was not introduced into England until well after both Henry and Anne's deaths so it is highly unlikely that he wrote the lyrics

DocGerbil Says:

Sep 4, 2008 - Beautiful song (always loved it).Beautiful voice.

maser0munch Says:

Sep 4, 2008 - i think thairs a teair just formed in my eye grate job

k777t Says:

Sep 4, 2008 - love the instrument player, reminds me of the middle ages , great voice of the singer as well

deejayshae Says:

Sep 4, 2008 - so incredibly beautiful

EchotheHeadgehog Says:

Sep 4, 2008 - The song is wonderful..but Henry VIII was a pig. He was married 6 times! After most the queens were beheaded. He broke off the church(Catholic) and made the church of england (which wed just hate him normaly for if he hadent executed of destroyd anyone/thing linked to the church or rome. Even a few of his friends! He lied about his promises and had priests and bishops come in at silent but resonably understood gunpoint and force them to disobey the pope and declare the marriges valid or invalid.

MissFiorito Says:

Sep 4, 2008 - wonderful

ohmycandyoctupuses Says:

Sep 4, 2008 - One of the best i have seen of greensleeves.

FrankyBabes Says:

Sep 4, 2008 - European history 101. One could go further and comment that it was this move that brought on the attempted Spanish invasion.Anyway, what's your point? It's not been proven that Henry VIII even wrote this. It's true that the Protestant Church of England is a bit of a farce but there you go.

downourstreet Says:

Sep 4, 2008 - Not most beheaded, but two. It goes like this - Divorced, Beheaded, Died, Divorced, Beheaded, Survived. Easy to remember, once you know it.

rpg37 Says:

Sep 4, 2008 - Beautiful song and voice. Well done.This version does skip three verses, however.

ArkEsoteric Says:

Sep 4, 2008 - I like the Snicker's version, but this is better haha! Great singing.

mintoO2cOolv2 Says:

Sep 4, 2008 - tears just formed in your eyes? the fuckin flood gates open in mine!! i guess i was in a lot of stress and now i feel relieved...this is the absolute greatness music can achieve...the pinnacle!!

mintoO2cOolv2 Says:

Sep 4, 2008 - that voice!! oh my god!! it so shrill that it simply pierces through and touches your soul!! oh my god!! what overwhelming powerful music!!

mintoO2cOolv2 Says:

Sep 4, 2008 - DUDE!! WTF!! i clicked your high-bitrate link here and when to the website, but in the web-site when i clicked on "high bitrate audio and video performances..." it took me to quicktime download page at apple website!! please correct the links!! what has apple or quicktime got to do with the song?

musicksmonument Says:

Sep 4, 2008 - Download the free QuickTime player....and you can see and hear the movie on the highest bitratefor internet.

annachestnut Says:

Sep 4, 2008 - she's pretty