Dyer-Bennet studied voice with Gertrude Wheeler Beckman and Sven Scholander, and from the first made his living singing. During his peak performance years, he gave 50 concerts a year. He recorded extensively for many labels, and eventually founded his own, Dyer-Bennet Records, and recorded in his own living room. The albums he recorded on his own label have been re-released on CD by Smithsonian Folkways.
A biography - Richard Dyer-Bennet: The Last Minstrel - by Paul O Jenkins will be published in December 2009 by the University Press of Mississippi.
Greensleeves
Richard Dyer-Bennet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To cast me off discourteously
When I have loved you so long
Delighting in thy company
Greensleeves is my delight
Greensleeves is all my joy
Greensleeves is my heart of gold
Greensleeves is my delight
Greensleeves is all my joy
Greensleeves is my heart of gold
And who but my lady Greensleeves
The lyrics of Richard Dyer-Bennet's song Greensleeves express the heartbroken emotions of a man whose love has rejected him without any respect or kindness, despite the fact that he had loved her deeply for a very long time and had always enjoyed being in her company. The singer laments that his joy, his delight, and his heart of gold have all been taken away from him by the actions of his beloved lady Greensleeves. He repeats these lines twice, emphasizing the depth of his sorrow and the importance of the woman who he loved so deeply.
The song is believed to be based on an old English folk tune from the late 16th century, and has been interpreted in a number of different ways over the years. Some have interpreted the lyrics as a tale of unrequited love between King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, while others see it as a simple lament for a love that has been lost. The recurring refrain of Greensleeves throughout the song is believed to reference both the green color of Anne Boleyn's dress, as well as the traditional garb worn by shepherds.
Line by Line Meaning
Alas, my love, you do me wrong
My dear, you have caused me pain by abruptly ending our relationship
To cast me off discourteously
Your behavior was impolite and thoughtless when you broke up with me
When I have loved you so long
I have been devoted to you for a very long time
Delighting in thy company
I have thoroughly enjoyed spending time with you
Greensleeves is my delight
The song Greensleeves brings me great pleasure and happiness
Greensleeves is all my joy
Greensleeves is the source of all my happiness
Greensleeves is my heart of gold
Greensleeves is very valuable to me and holds a special place in my heart
And who but my lady Greensleeves
Only my lady Greensleeves can truly understand my love for this song
Contributed by Leah B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.