Greensleeves - A 16th Century English Folk Song

Greensleeves is probably the most famous of all early English songs. It was first registered in September 1580 as a broadside ballad by Richard Jones, as "A Newe Northen Dittye of ye Ladye Greene Sleves”

Henry VIII did not compose Greensleeves! It’s a romantic myth that he wrote it for Anne Boleyn. He did however compose a lot of other music that has survived. We know it’s a later piece if music as it is written in a style influenced by Italian tastes which didn’t make it to England until Elizabeth the first's reign.

As far as the subject matter, one theory is Greensleeves could be about a promiscuous lady, who’s clothing has become stained from rolling in the grass whilst making love! However, this could also be seen as a misinterpretation from the point of view of the singer, as Lady Greensleeves seems to be spurning his advances and casting him off discourtesously!

Greensleeves is mentioned in Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor when Falstaff exclaims, "Let the sky rain potatoes! Let it thunder to the tune of ‘Greensleeves’!”

The location here is The Manor House at Ryedale Folk Museum, Hutton-Le-Hole, North Yorkshire. It is a fine example of a traditional cruck framed building from the Tudor period. The entire building was saved from collapse, moved piece by piece and lovingly reconstructed in it’s new location at the museum on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. Please check out www.ryedalefolkmuseum.co.uk for more information on this wonderful museum.