Greensleeves
Paddy O'Connor Lyrics
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To cast me off discourteously,
And I have loved you oh so long
Delighting in your company.
Greensleeves was all my joy,
Greensleeves was my delight,
Greensleeves my heart of gold,
And who but my lady Greensleeves.
To grant whatever you would have,
I have both waged life and land
Your love and goodwill for to have.
Greensleeves was all my joy,
Greensleeves was my delight,
Greensleeves my heart of gold,
And who but my lady Greensleeves.
The lyrics to Paddy O'Connor & Friends' Greensleeves tell a story of unrequited love and the pain that comes with it. The singer is lamenting the fact that their lover has cast them off without any regard for their feelings, despite having loved them for so long. The titular Greensleeves is presented as the singer's heart of gold, representing their deep affection for their lady love. The singer has been willing to do anything for their lover, even giving up their own lands and even their life, just to have their love and goodwill. However, their devotion has not been reciprocated, and they are left alone with their love for Greensleeves.
The lyrics are full of emotion, with the use of "Alas" and "oh so long" indicating the singer's deep sense of loss and sadness. The repetition of "Greensleeves was all my joy" emphasizes how much the singer has invested in their love for their lady, and the mention of their "heart of gold" shows just how much they treasure her. However, the inability to attain their love is causing them great pain, and the use of the word "discourteously" suggests that their lover has not treated them kindly. Overall, the song presents a bittersweet tale of love and loss, and speaks to the universal experience of unrequited love.
Line by Line Meaning
Alas my love you do me wrong
Unfortunately, my love, you have treated me unfairly
To cast me off discourteously,
To reject me rudely
And I have loved you oh so long
I have cherished you for a very long time
Delighting in your company.
I always enjoy being around you
Greensleeves was all my joy,
The song 'Greensleeves' was the source of my happiness
Greensleeves was my delight,
I found great pleasure in listening to 'Greensleeves'
Greensleeves my heart of gold,
To me, 'Greensleeves' was very valuable
And who but my lady Greensleeves.
It was you, my beloved Greensleeves
I have been ready at your hand
I have always been there for you
To grant whatever you would have,
To give you whatever you desire
I have both waged life and land
I have risked my life and property
Your love and goodwill for to have.
Just to gain your love and approval
Writer(s): Rupert Gregson-Williams, Martin Nicholas Gratton, Christopher Willis, Traditional
Contributed by Lincoln P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.