Under The Greenwood Tree
Royal Shakespeare Company Lyrics
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who loves to lie with me
and tune his merry note
unto the sweet bird's
come hither come hither come hither
here shall he see no enemy
but winter and rough weather
and love to live in the sun
seeking the food he eats
and pleased with what he gets
come hither come hither come hither
here shall he see no enemy
but winter and rough weather
and if it do come to pass
that any man turn ass
leaving his wealth and ease
a stubborn will to please
ducdame ducdame ducdame
there shall he see gross fools as he
and if will come to me
The lyrics of this song, as performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company, conjure up images of idyllic harmony with nature, while exhorting listeners to shun ambition and cultivate a life of giving thanks for what one has. The melody is merry, with hints of the traditional folk songs that have been influencing British music for generations.
The song opens by welcoming the listener to come and lie under the greenwood tree, where they will find no enemies, just the inevitabilities of winter and rough weather. The stanza turns to speak of someone who shuns ambition and loves to live in and appreciate the sun. The listener is again invited to come hither to this place where there are no enemies save those of nature.
The final stanza seems to offer a warning to those who would turn their back on others to please their own stubborn will – such people will find themselves among gross fools. This warning is accompanied by the chants of "ducdame ducdame ducdame," as if to drive home the point of the danger of pursuing one's own desires at the expense of others.
Overall, the song seems to convey a message of living in harmony with nature and with others, and a warning against selfish pursuits. It is possible that the song draws inspiration from the pastoral literature of the Renaissance, which often celebrated the simple life of shepherds and rural workers.
Line by Line Meaning
under the greenwood tree
Amidst the lush greenery and serene natural surroundings
who loves to lie with me
For those who love to lay down beside me
and tune his merry note
And harmonize his cheerful melody
unto the sweet bird's
Along with the sweet melody of the birds
come hither come hither come hither
Please come closer, come hither, come hither, come hither
here shall he see no enemy
Here, one shall find no adversary
but winter and rough weather
Except the harshness of winter and turbulent weather
Who doth ambition shun
Those who avoid ambition
and love to live in the sun
And prefer basking in the warmth of the sun
seeking the food he eats
Looking for sustenance through what he can gather
and pleased with what he gets
And content with what he receives
come hither come hither come hither
Please come closer, come hither, come hither, come hither
here shall he see no enemy
Here, one shall find no adversary
but winter and rough weather
Except the harshness of winter and turbulent weather
and if it do come to pass
And should it happen that
that any man turn ass
A man becomes stubborn
leaving his wealth and ease
Abandoning his riches and comfort
a stubborn will to please
Being resolute in pleasing oneself
ducdame ducdame ducdame
Common refrain in musical compositions of the time
there shall he see gross fools as he
Thus he shall be surrounded by foolish individuals like himself
and if will come to me
And should he want to, he can come to me
Contributed by Bailey B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.