Greensleeves

William Chatterdon Dixs

(Two Versions)

VERSION 1

What child is this, who, lay to rest, on Mary’s lap, is sleeping Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while shepards watch are keeping This, this is Christ the King whom shepards guard and angels sing Haste, Haste, to bring him laud, The babe, the son of Mary Why lies he in such mean estate where ox and ass are feeding? Good Christian, fear; for sinners here the silent Word is pleading This, this is Christ the King whom shepards guard and angels sing Haste, Haste, to bring him laud, The babe, the son of Mary So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh come, peaseant, King, to own him; The King of kings salvation brings, let loving hearts enthrone Him This, this is Christ the King whom shepards guard and angels sing Haste, Haste, to bring him laud, The babe, the son of Mary

VERSION 2

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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