While no longer working under the Christian label, his most recent releases include 80s alternative inspired AWOL, which even features Andy Rourke of The Smiths on bass, the electronic collaboration with Service Unicorn, Romeo Drive, and a new spoken-word album Radio Teknika.
Greensleeves
Kevin Max Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
O they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas Day in the morning.
Your vows you've broken, like my heart,
Oh, why did you so enrapture me?
Now I remain in a world apart
Greensleeves was my heart of joy
Greensleeves was my delight,
Greensleeves was my heart of gold,
And who but my lady greensleeves
These lyrics are a modern interpretation of the classic song "Greensleeves" with added verses by Kevin Max. The song tells a story of a sailor who arrives in Bethlehem on Christmas Day, and reflects on a lost love whom he called Greensleeves. The sailor is heartbroken that the vows between him and his lover have been broken and feels trapped in his emotions. In the original "Greensleeves" song, the theme is about a man who is smitten by a woman wearing green sleeves and is heartbroken when she rejects him.
In Kevin Max's version, the lyrics suggest that Greensleeves was more than just a fleeting love, but someone who brought joy and meaning to his life. The sailor's heart was captivated by Greensleeves, and even though he is now separated from her, his heart still yearns for her. The use of the Greensleeves melody throughout the song reinforces the idea that the love between the sailor and Greensleeves is timeless and enduring.
Line by Line Meaning
O they sailed into Bethlehem,
The journey to Bethlehem is being described.
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
The journey happened on the day associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.
O they sailed into Bethlehem,
The journey to Bethlehem is being described once again.
On Christmas Day in the morning.
The journey happened early in the morning on the day associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.
Your vows you've broken, like my heart,
The artist's lover has broken their promises, causing the artist to feel heartbreak.
Oh, why did you so enrapture me?
The singer questions why their lover caused them to fall in love in the first place.
Now I remain in a world apart
The singer is currently separated from their lover and feels isolated.
But my heart remains in captivity.
Even though the artist is no longer with their lover, their emotions are still consumed by them.
Greensleeves was my heart of joy
The artist found happiness in Greensleeves, likely a metaphor for their lover.
Greensleeves was my delight,
The artist took pleasure in Greensleeves, likely a metaphor for their lover.
Greensleeves was my heart of gold,
The singer valued Greensleeves, likely a metaphor for their lover, above all else.
And who but my lady greensleeves
The artist believes that no one else could have captured their heart like Greensleeves, likely a metaphor for their lover.
Contributed by Caroline K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Matthew Nason
Kevin, I've followed your amazing journey as an artist from the earl DC days and we've talk a couple of times about life and aliens, lol. I love your Christmas album, but this version is completely transcendent. I'm a hopeless romantic and tragic lover myself and this is so Victorian with spiritual light behind it. Please don't stop evolving. You are an ancient light.
Ak49Angel
I got chills! Your voice never disappoints ❤ I love both versions btw 😊
Amie
Hauntingly beautiful, love it!
Leslie Thomas
Love this so much. 🖤🖤
Dave Nicholson
Outstanding. I really love this song.
Carlos Roberto Meireles
Quando tempo esperei um novo som 🥺
Benjamin Dean
Loved it 👌
Sarah Weston
Wow, just wow! 💗
ikol loke
Just checking in... I've been here since 1800 love.... rock on Max. 🤘
Patricio bonacic-doric
BEAUTIFUL